VOV: What needs to be done first and foremost to overcome the consequences of Typhoon Chanchu?

Minister Ngoc: The most serious problem is that a number of people and ships are still missing. Therefore, the Ministry of Fisheries will actively coordinate with the National Committee for Search and Rescue and the Central Committee for Storm and Flood Prevention and Control to search for the remaining victims in order to bring them ashore early. It will also coordinate with local authorities of Central Da Nang City and Quang Nam and Quang Ngai provinces to receive the rescued victims and dead bodies, as well as provide timely relief for their families. The ministry will hold a meeting to review and resolve weaknesses in its management. The more heart-breaking the consequences of the Typhoon, the more management officials will have to take responsibility.

VOV: How does the ministry do to help fishermen restore production?

Minister Ngoc: The Ministry of Fisheries will soon devise measures to help local people overcome the consequences of the typhoon, restore production and return to normal lives. The typhoon caused great human and property losses. The biggest ship had 420CV and the smallest one 60CV. These were huge assets of the local people. Some families lost their main labourers. Fishermen involved in the fisheries sector should do other work as well. They should be offered special policies. As for boat owners accessing credits from the Government, it needs careful consideration before deciding to remit their debts.

VOV: What do you think about the public saying that weather forecasts are not updated and the liaison devices for offshore fishermen are outdated?

Minister Ngoc: It does not matter the liaison devices are outdated or modern, but more importantly, they must be practical to use. Vietnam is still poor and fishermen always put their lives at the whim of the weather. Therefore, it is essential to combine advanced technology with our available equipment to help fishermen get necessary information as soon as possible.

VOV:  What is your assessment of information provided by VOV for fishermen?

Minister Ngoc: I appreciate VOV’s efforts to provide daily weather forecast with detailed information about wind speed, temperature, directions of wave etc. We will further cooperate with VOV in improving the program in the near future.

VOV: Thank you very much.

Eight more fishing boats, 169 fishermen rescued

Search and rescue work continued on May 24. By 1 am on May 25, eight more fishing boats and 169 fishermen had returned to Da Nang port.

However, according to head of the Central Steering Committee for Storm and Flood Prevention and Control Le Huy Ngo, as many as 200 fishermen are still unaccounted for. The National Committee for Search and Rescue are reinforcing co-ordination efforts with local authorities in their relief efforts. 

Nation-wide fund raising for typhoon victims

The whole nation is actively raising money to help Typhoon Chanchu victims overcome their difficulties and quickly resume their normal lives.

On May 23, the Vietnam General Labour Federation called on local trade unions, inspectors, agencies, mass organisations and individuals to launch a drive to support the victims. On the first day, staff members of the federation and its affiliated units donated VND70 million.

The trade union of the Vietnam Women's Union Central Committee appealed to its members to each contribute one day's salary to help the victims. The presidium of the union provided each of the typhoon-hit provinces of Da Nang, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai with VND10 million in relief aid.

Leaders and staff members of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Science and Education also joined hands to ease difficulties for the victims by contributing at least one day's salary.

The same day, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieut. Gen. Le The Tiem urged officers and policemen to raise money for the affected people. The General Police Department donated a total of VND40 million.

In response to the Prime Minister's appeal, by May 23, 42 agencies, businesses and individuals had contributed nearly VND440 million to the Tam Long Vang (Gold Heart) Fund for support of victims.