Government leader pledges full support for Gia Lai Province after severe flooding
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits Gia Lai Province to direct recovery efforts and encourage residents and businesses hit hard by floods.
THE HANOI TIMES — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh today (November 13) pledged that the government will introduce comprehensive support policies to help people in the central highlands province of Gia Lai rebuild their lives and resettle safely after heavy rains and flooding.
During his visit to affected areas, the prime minister said the government will launch financial aid programs, including preferential loans, debt rescheduling, debt relief and assistance for fish cages, seedlings and animal feed to help residents resume farming, livestock raising and other livelihoods.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expresses sympathy to residents, businesses and local authorities affected by the floods. Photo: VGP.
Chinh asked Gia Lai authorities to complete essential infrastructure and utilities and speed up housing construction for affected families. He encouraged residents to move to new, safer resettlement areas to avoid risks during future storms.
For businesses, the prime minister instructed local governments to help clean up debris and repair factories so they can resume operations quickly, prevent supply chain disruptions and protect business credibility.
“The ultimate goal is to help businesses restart operations quickly, creating stable jobs and incomes for local workers. This is a crucial time for production recovery and support for businesses must be timely, whether they are state-owned or private,” said Chinh.
Typhoon Kalmaegi, the 13th storm to enter the East Sea and Vietnam in 2025, caused severe human and material losses across central provinces, including Hue, Danang, Quang Tri, Quang Ngai, Ha Tinh, Nghe An and Gia Lai.
Preliminary reports show 66 people dead or missing, 160 injured, more than 2,500 homes destroyed, nearly 60,000 damaged or unroofed and about 176,000 flooded.
Nearly 25,000 hectares of rice and crops were lost, 162,000 livestock and poultry killed, 182 boats sunk or damaged and over 63,000 fish cages destroyed. Schools, health stations, roads, power lines and telecom networks also suffered serious damage, with total losses exceeding VND14.5 trillion (US$570 million).
In Gia Lai, losses are estimated at over VND5.9 trillion ($233 million). More than 1,000 houses completely collapsed, tens of thousands were damaged, around 490 schools and 11 medical stations were affected and several transport routes were cut off.
Chinh expressed sympathy for affected residents, businesses and officials and offered condolences to families who lost loved ones or had members missing or injured during the storm. He called for joint effort, unity and resilience in overcoming the disaster’s aftermath.
On November 12, the prime minister directed authorities in Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Hue, Danang, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai and Dak Lak to assess damage and provide emergency shelter, food and essential aid by November 14, 2025.
He also instructed local authorities to complete home reconstruction by December 31, 2025 and tasked the central bank with preparing preferential credit packages to help citizens and businesses restore production.
