Phones and components lead the groups that record over USD1 billion in export turnover each in the first half of October
In line with these figures, Vietnam raked in USD12.72 billion from exports while spending USD11.92 billion on imports throughout the reviewed period.
Overall, its total import-export turnover between the beginning of the year to October 15 reached more than USD413 billion, of which USD215.25 billion was generated from exports and USD197.93 billion from imports.
Most notably, phones and components topped the list of commodities with an export value of USD2.63 billion in the first half of October. They were followed by computers, electronics and components with USD1.96 billion, and textiles and garments with USD1.28 billion.
Simultaneously, import turnover of computers, electronics and components reached over USD3 billion during the reviewed period, followed by machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts with USD1.58 billion.
45,000 residents relocated from flooded areas
Local authorities of central Ha Tinh province plan to evacuate more than 45,000 residents living downstream of Ke Go reservoir as the water level is rising, Vietnam News Agency has reported.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
Reservoir levels have been almost a metre higher than normal due to prolonged torrential rain.
While facing water flow from the upstream, the Ke Go reservoir has released water at 900 cu.m per second on October 19 morning.
According to the provincial Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, other large reservoirs and dams like Boc Nguyen, Khe Xai, Tau Voi, Thuong Song Tri also discharged water at higher than normal levels.
A number of communes in Cam Xuyen, Huong Khe, Thach Ha districts and Ha Tinh city have been isolated due to floods. Households have been forced to move their belongings to elevated positions.
As of 4am on October 19, more than 20,700 people from more than 7,100 households in Ha Tinh have been evacuated.
Nguyen Van Sau, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Thach Ha district, said all communes in the district had flooded areas, causing serious traffic disruption.
Thach Dai, Tan Lam Huong, Thach Vinh communes are the most affected. Local rescue teams have worked around the clock, helping villagers. The district has evacuated more than 6,600 people.
Streets in Ha Tinh city are also flooded with water reaching up to 1m. All daily activities have been disrupted.
Torrential rain is predicted to continue in Ha Tinh province so more people are expected to be relocated.
Donations made to support flood victims in central region
Fundraising events and donations have been made in support of residents of the central region who are struggling against the current historic floods, according to Nhan Dan (People) newspaper.
VFF President Tran Thanh Man (R) receives a donation worth USD60,000 from Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Van Trung. (Photo: mattran.org.vn)
On October 19, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Tran Thanh Man received a donation worth USD60,000 from the Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Committee and some Lao businesses to support flood victims in the central region.
Man affirmed that although Laos is still in difficulty, this meaningful gift is clear proof of the solidarity and special relationship between the two countries. He said that in order to fulfil the call from Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the VFF Central Committee will send documents to its local chapters to host donation and fund raising events to share with compatriots in the central region.
On the same day, various government agencies, localities and units also made donations and organised fundraising events for flood victims. They include the Government Office; the Party Central Committees for Mass Mobilisation, Communications and Education, and Economic Affairs; the Party Committee of the Central Agencies Block; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union; the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour; Ca Mau Province; Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group, the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies; the VFF chapter of Hai Phong City; and Vietnam Container Shipping Joint Stock Company.
On the afternoon of October 19, the Standing Committee of the VFF Central Committee and the Central Relief Committee decided to allocate VND20 billion to support the affected families in the five central provinces of Thua Thien Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Quang Nam and Ha Tinh.
On the same day, the Ministry of Health decided to provide Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam and Da Nang with 700,000 Aquatabs water disinfection tablets each.
The Vietnam Red Cross Society continued to provide a third relief package to three central provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Ha Tinh with the total value of money and goods reaching nearly VND2.7 billion.
On the afternoon of October 19, in Vientiane, the Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade’s Lao branch donated 300 million Lao kip (over USD30,000) to help the host country fight against COVID-19.
On the same day, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said that through JICA, the Japanese government is assisting flood victims in the central province of Thua Thien Hue with 50 water purifiers and 250 plastic mattresses, helping to ease the difficulties the victims are suffering.
On behalf of the Vietnamese Government, the Central Steering Committee on the Prevention of Natural Disasters will receive the assistance and deliver it to the people of Thua Thien Hue./.