Memories of Typhoon Nari

By Hoang Trong Nghia – Hiep Duc ADP Manager Typhoon Nari hit Hiep Duc district in the central province of Quang Nam during the night of 14 October 2013, causing widespread damage to local families’ property and farmland. “The wind was so strong. It came at midnight and the trees were swaying violently with leaves and branches strewn everywhere,” said Mr Nhut, a local farmer. Inside their now roofless house, Mr Nhut still appeared stunned at what had happened, while his three children sat timidly a mosquito net in one corner. “When we heard that the typhoon was coming, we added supports to the house as we normally do and I thought everything would be fine,” said Mr. Nhut. “I just let my children sleep and when the typhoon arrived, we were all inside our house.” “I realised that the winds were stronger than usual when the typhoon made landfall, so I woke all my children up and took them to a safer corner of the house. That’s when I heard a loud crack,” the father explained. “I was going to get everyone to my neighbour’s house, but I couldn’t as it was too dark and the wind was too strong. Then the corrugated iron roof began to be torn from the house. One by one, the metal sheets blew away and we were left frightened and wet, waiting for the sun to come up,” he added. Following the storm, World Vision’s Hiep Duc Area Development Programme helped numerous local people to rebuild their homes and lives. These people included Mr Nhut, who was one of many villagers to receive iron sheeting to repair damaged roofs. “I’m thankful to World Vision for helping us to rebuild our house. I will try to work harder to earn enough money to buy bricks and cement to build a sturdier house for my children,” Mr. Nhut concluded.