Assisting Southeast Asian communities to recover from the ravages of Super Typhoon Yagi

The MSC Foundation is contributing to life-changing assistance with partners’ emergency relief and rebuilding efforts in Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam

Focus Area: Emergency Relief

In early September 2024, Tropical Cyclone Yagi originated in the Philippines and passed over China’s Hainan Island. It then intensified into one of the most destructive super typhoons in decades. Making landfall in Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong City in Vietnam on 7 September, Yagi left a trail of death and destruction in its wake from torrential downpours and powerful winds exceeding 200 kilometres per hour. Triggering widespread flooding, flash floods and landslides in the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Lao PDR and Thailand, the super typhoon uprooted trees and caused severe damage to roads, bridges and buildings. This, together with extended power outages, communication loss and water supply disruptions compromised countless communities’ access to clean water, social services, education, healthcare, food and shelter.

More than 5.3 million people, including at least 1.5 million children, were directly affected by the floods and landslides, 3.6 million of them in Vietnam. Here, more than 240,599 homes, 1,530 schools and 570 health facilities were damaged, with another 73,248 homes submerged in floodwaters. Over 300 people in the country lost their lives and around 570,000 were in urgent need of assistance – 163,000 of them children.

The MSC Foundation responded swiftly to help meet this desperate need, partnering with local organisations to deliver critical emergency relief promptly and provide effective support for recovery efforts.

In Thailand, we are working with the Thai Red Cross Society to provide essential goods and medical supplies to 3,500 people affected by severe flooding.

In Myanmar, the Foundation is partnering with Community Partners International (CPI) and the Myanmar Red Cross Society to assist multiple regions hit hardest by the super typhoon. CPI is focusing on Taungoo Township in Bago Region, where 1,250 people, including 250 with disabilities, are receiving emergency aid and recovery resources. The Myanmar Red Cross Society is distributing vital supplies such as water, food, hygiene kits and sanitation resources to 3,000 people, while also supporting recovery by rebuilding homes and restoring livelihoods.

In Vietnam, we are collaborating with Tuoi Tre – Department of Social Responsibilities to repair and rebuild schools and classrooms damaged by the typhoon. This initiative will benefit 2,100 affected people, helping communities recover and ensuring children can return to education.

The MSC Foundation is committed to sustaining our partners’ efforts to assist these communities so they can rebuild their lives and regain hope in a stronger future.