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Hue Community Centre Writer Ted Mlynarz, Michael Luong and Dr William Trinh OAM During October 2022, Central Vietnam was faced with a catastrophic flood event that caused significant damage, all while battling the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several villages were battered by torrential rain, leading to extensive flooding which resulted in severe damage, loss of life, and widespread displacement. Approximately 53,000 villagers were left homeless with around 180,000 homes submerged and damaged by the floodwaters, coupled with a heavy loss of livestock. In response to this dire situation, AHHA, aided by local volunteers in Vietnam, sponsored a program of food and water filter distribution to provide some relief to those affected and experiencing heavy personal losses. The impacted area, not far
from Hue in Central Vietnam, is often victim to flooding, and the population frequently suffers disruption to their normal lives and wellbeing. With no alternate resources or facilities available for them to escape and seek relief from the rain and floods, a comprehensive solution was urgently needed. In partnership with the Vietnamese community in Australia, AHHA undertook a fundraising effort to enable the construction of an emergency/community centre, designed to provide relief for the flood victims. The generous donation of land from the Chau Pho Nam temple allowed for planning to commence and the project to progress.
8 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)
