Business donations critical to address Yagi aftermath

Businesses from across Vietnam have mobilised to ensure affected areas can get the right support

In the week following the typhoon, the private sector mobilised considerable donations to assist affected communities.

Vingroup and its partners announced a VND250 billion ($10.4 million) donation to support those impacted by the typhoon and floods. The amount was raised from the group, its subsidiaries, and voluntary contributions from over 130,000 Vingroup employees.

According to Vingroup, the funds will be allocated for emergency relief activities, including the rebuilding of around 2,000 collapsed houses, financial support ranging from $6,200-12,500 for families who lost loved ones, and the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.

Masan Group has also been significantly impacted, with its subsidiaries suffering losses from the typhoon. Nearly 700 establishments in the WinMart+ supermarket chain across the north were damaged, with merchandise spoilage due to flooding, power outages, and damaged equipment.

In the agricultural sector, Masan faced near-total losses at its WinEco farms in Tam Dao area in Hanoi, and in Ha Nam, Quang Ninh, and Haiphong, but the Meatlife plant in Ha Nam and a poultry farm in Bac Giang were isolated by the storm. Despite these challenges, Masan quickly resumed operations and rolled out support policies for affected areas, providing 16,000 gift packages worth an estimated $292,000.

Masan High-Tech Materials, a subsidiary of Masan Group, also mobilised volunteer teams to visit and assist communities in flooded areas in Thai Nguyen province. The company provided 1,000 gift packages, consisting of essential consumer goods, to residents in Dai Tu district and continues to raise funds to support storm-affected communities.

Meanwhile, to expedite the delivery of relief goods from the central and southern regions to the north, four airlines – Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo, Vietjet, and Vietravel – along with Vietnam Railways Corporation and several road transport companies agreed to transport relief supplies free of charge.

Vietjet CEO Dinh Viet Phuong said, “All of us at Vietjet extend our heartfelt encouragement to those affected by the typhoon and floods. We believe that, with solidarity and community support, people will overcome these difficulties and stabilise their lives.”

Vietjet also pledged to contribute a portion of each ticket sold until September 30 to recovery efforts, with the initiative expected to raise over $208,000.

As of September 16, the Central Relief Mobilisation Committee received $51.5 million in donations, including contributions from the business community. The committee has allocated $27.08 million to support localities in the second round of funding, bringing the total disbursed to $43.1 million.

Elsewhere, Singaporean businesses operating in Vietnam have come together under a “community cares” initiative to provide essential support to the communities affected by Typhoon Yagi. In a demonstration of solidarity and compassion with the Vietnamese people, the companies pledged over $79 million in coordination with the Singapore Embassy to Vietnam.

Keppel Ltd. is among the Singapore companies contributing to the cause, alongside CapitaLand Development, Mapletree, Sembcorp Industries, United Overseas Bank, YCH Group, and others.

Jaya Ratnam, Ambassador of Singapore to Vietnam, said, “I am very proud to see Singapore businesses come together to lend support to Vietnam at a difficult time. Typhoon Yagi has had a devastating impact on so many lives across northern Vietnam. Singapore stands in solidarity with our friends in Vietnam.”

SABECO steps up to serve society in times of strife Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation has come to the aid of people struggling after Typhoon Yagi through a series of initiatives.

Power ensured after Typhoon Yagi damagse The damage caused by Typhoon Yagi to supply chains and power supply has been revealed, with Vietnam Electricity having pledged to ensure recovery following Asia’s most powerful storm this year.

Pernod Ricard supports northern regions affected by Typhoon Yagi Pernod Ricard Vietnam Co., Ltd. donated VND1 billion ($41,600) to Vietnam Fatherland Front on September 25 to support northern localities severely impacted by Typhoon Yagi.