Asia and the Pacific
Vietnam ranks 117 out of 189 on the Human Development Index (HDI). CARE International works with ethnic minority communities in Vietnam to increase economic opportunities and promote partnerships with community-based groups and national NGOs
Since 1989, CARE International has been working with women from ethnic minority groups in the most remote areas of Vietnam to support them to have equal opportunity and participate in, and benefit from, the country’s overall economic growth.
Vietnam has 53 minority groups who make up about 15% of the population, each with their own languages, traditions, and cultural norms. These groups often face the greatest poverty and discrimination, with women being doubly disadvantaged as a result of their gender and ethnicity.
Vietnam also suffers seasonally from natural disasters and is especially vulnerable to cyclones and flooding.
CARE Vietnam prioritizes working with women from ethnic minorities and who live in rural communities. This includes women who are socially isolated, women who have little access to land and markets, and women who are most affected by external hazards and shocks.
We also work with men in ethnic minority communities to gain their support, as well as more advantaged ethnic minority communities who can influence change. We promote partnerships with community-based groups and national NGOs.
Our work in Vietnam focuses on:
Over the past weeks, Typhoon Yagi, Asia's strongest storm in 2024, has ravaged Southeast Asian countries, affecting millions and causing more than 600 casualties. The severe flooding and destruction have overwhelmed vulnerable communities, with women and girls bearing the brunt.
Typhoon Yagi causes widespread devastation across Southeast Asia. "Although [Typhoon] Yagi has weakened to a tropical depression, its impact continues to disrupt daily life in the hardest-hit areas," says Ramesh Singh, CARE Asia Regional Director Statement.
Typhoon Yagi has unleashed destruction across Southeast Asia, affecting over 20 million people in Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. "This is the strongest typhoon we’ve seen in 30 years,” said Dung Le Kim, CARE Vietnam Director.
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The Damrey typhoon in central Vietnam in late 2017 left over 4 million people in need of emergency assistance. Over 134,000 houses were damaged, of which more than 3,500 were completely destroyed. Occurring right before the APEC Summit, the disaster drew immediate attention from international media and leaders, resulting in quick responses from the Vietnamese and other governments to a few worst affected provinces.
The year 2017 was marked by scores of humanitarian crises: armed conflicts, devastating natural disasters, climate shocks, hunger, millions of people fleeing their homes.
In FY2023, CARE worked around the world, contributing to saving lives, fighting poverty, and increasing social justice.
