Typhoon Yagi Devastates Southeast Asia: Nearly 6 Million Children Affected.
BANGKOK:
Typhoon Yagi has unleashed catastrophic floods and landslides across Southeast Asia, impacting nearly 6 million children in Viet Nam, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. The storm, the most powerful to hit the region this year, has severely disrupted access to clean water, education, healthcare, and shelter, exacerbating the vulnerabilities of already marginalized communities.
UNICEF’s Regional Director for East Asia and Pacific, June Kunugi, emphasized the urgent need to restore essential services for children and families. “The most vulnerable are facing the most devastating consequences of this disaster,” she stated. The flooding has damaged over 850 schools and more than 550 health centers, primarily in Viet Nam.
In Viet Nam alone, around 3 million people are without safe drinking water, heightening the risk of disease, while 2 million children lack access to education and vital support services. Myanmar faces a dual crisis, with ongoing conflict compounding the humanitarian impact of Typhoon Yagi, resulting in over 170 deaths and significant displacements.
The crisis is mirrored in Thailand and Laos, where thousands of children have been affected by flooding and infrastructure damage. UNICEF is actively delivering relief efforts, including safe drinking water, hygiene materials, and psychosocial support, while planning for recovery once floodwaters recede.
This disaster underscores the growing impact of climate change, with children in East Asia facing climate-related hazards six times more frequently than previous generations. The urgent need for sustainable recovery and support for vulnerable populations has never been clearer.
