The Monsoon season of 1999 has been termed “The Flooding of the Millennium” by the people of Viet Nam. Two consecutive floods during November and December, along with continuous torrential downpours in the beginning of 2000, effected most citied of Central Viet Nam. Especially hard hit was the area from Phu Yen to Quang Binh, where serious damage was caused and many of the towns and villages laying between the Pacific ocean and Truong Son mountain were devastated. The floods have resulted in painful losses, more than 600 people lost their homes. Seventy thousand acres of crops were also lost due to the flooding.
Faced with news of such traumatic losses by their beloved countrymen, the American-Vietnamese communities abroad, along with the local community, responded with assistance. I have also received many donations, ranging from simple monetary gifts from young people, from as far away as Hong Kong, to clothing and medicines carefully wrapped by elderly donors. Even though, those gifts were small compared to the major losses faced by many flood victims; however, they did, speak of the love, care, concerns, and compassions from numerous people.
A total of $28,835 was donated and was sent to communities in Central Viet Nam and was distributed in the form of rice, dry food, blankets and monetary to aid the flood victims.
I am grateful for the generous support from many of you, friends near and far; including those from Vietnamese-American communities and parishes in Orlando and Miami, Florida, in san Jose, California in Rockport, Texas, in Wyoming, Minnesota, as well as those from Lua Viet Organization, and from the Redemtorist Fathers of Florida and Virginia.
Once again, on behalf of the flood victims, thank you for your generosity.
Fr. Vang Cong Tran, CSsR
