Gia Lai, February 9, 2026 – From 9 to 12 February, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Gia Lai’s Provincial Red Cross, and local authorities, organized the provision of multi-purpose cash assistance, housing repair support, and household items for families severely affected by storms and floods in Gia Lai Province.

The activity was within the programme “Cash Assistance, Housing Recovery, and Essential Household Items for Vulnerable Households Affected by Floods in Gia Lai Province,” funded by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), to help affected families restore livelihoods, overcome losses, and recover from the impacts of natural disasters. Representatives of Gia Lai provincial authorities, relevant departments and agencies, the Provincial Red Cross, local authorities, UNDP in Viet Nam, and beneficiary households attended the distribution.

In this phase, 1,920 households across seven communes and wards received multi-purpose cash assistance, enabling families to prioritize essential needs, including food, healthcare, household supplies, and education-related expenses. In addition, 280 households received housing repair support, helping to ensure safe living conditions and reduce risks from future natural disasters. A further 1,000 households received household item kits.

Speaking at the distribution ceremony, Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Lịch, Vice Chairwoman of the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee, expressing her appreciation for UNDP’s timely support, stated: “This is a timely and meaningful assistance programme that helps many poor and near-poor households affected by storms and floods in Gia Lai Province access financial resources and essential items to restore their homes and livelihoods. In particular, beneficiaries received support ahead of the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse 2026, enabling them to purchase necessities, complete home repairs, and celebrate the traditional New Year with peace of mind.” She affirmed that the province would direct relevant departments and local authorities to coordinate implementation and ensure that the assistance is delivered to the proper beneficiaries in a transparent, accountable, and effective manner.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Francesca Nardini, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Viet Nam, shared: “Storm Kalmaegi caused significant damage to housing, livelihoods, and public services across Gia Lai Province. However, what truly stood out was the strong spirit of solidarity within communities, as families supported one another in overcoming these challenges. Through the programme’s multi-purpose cash assistance, households are empowered to make informed choices to meet their most urgent needs, including food, healthcare, essential household items, or education-related expenses. Safe and stable housing is a cornerstone of recovery, and we are pleased that this support has enabled poor and near-poor households, as well as those in particularly difficult circumstances, to repair their homes, strengthening protection against cold and harsh weather while safeguarding their health and dignity.”

Mr. Dương Hiệp Hòa, Chairman of the Canh Vinh Commune People’s Committee, stated that “this support from the United Nations not only provides practical tangible assistance for repairing and restoring homes and essential household items, but also reflects a strong sense of compassion and close solidarity with communities affected by natural disasters. We believe that beneficiary households will soon overcome these difficulties and gradually restore their living conditions.”

Ms. Đặng Thị Ngọt, a member of the Cham ethnicity from Canh Vinh Commune, speaking on behalf of beneficiary households, shared: “When I received the VND 20 million to repair my house, I felt very happy and much more at ease. I used the money to pay the workers, buy roofing sheets and construction materials. Now my family has a place to live in, with shelter from the sun and rain, and we can welcome the Lunar New Year with joy and peace of mind.”

The distribution was carried out smoothly and in compliance with regulations, ensuring openness and transparency, and was coordinated closely among the Red Cross, local authorities, and relevant stakeholders. The delegation also conducted visits to several beneficiary households to gain firsthand insight into their challenges and to strengthen engagement among all parties involved in the assistance effort.

Through this programme, UNDP continues to reaffirm its commitment to working alongside the Government of Viet Nam and local authorities in emergency response, early recovery, and strengthening community resilience to the increasing impacts of natural disasters and climate change.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Phan Huong Giang   
UNDP Media and Communications Analyst, Climate Change, Energy and Environment 
Email: phan.huong.giang@undp.org 
Mobile: 0948466688