In early November 2017, Typhoon Damrey (Typhoon No. 12) made landfall in Central Vietnam, just days before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum was held in the country.

Within just 16 hours, thousands of homes were unroofed or destroyed; trees and power poles were toppled, and floods struck 15 provinces along Vietnam’s central coast. According to United Nations estimates, Typhoon Damrey affected over 4.3 million people, with total economic damages estimated at around $1 million.

To help recover from the aftermath of the storm, the Australian Government decided to provide AUD 400,000 for CARE to implement support activities for people affected in four communes in Dai Loc District (Quang Nam Province) and Quang Dien District (Thua Thien Hue Province).

In cooperation with the Provincial and District Red Cross in these areas, CARE assisted nearly 10,000 people, ensuring better housing, access to clean water, and improved sanitation. Of the households supported, 78% received cash assistance, and notably, more than 80% of the households supported had members over the age of 70.

After nine months of implementation, the project to support people affected by Typhoon Damrey in Central Vietnam officially concluded on September 29, 2018, in Thua Thien Hue.