Hanoi ( AsiaNews) - After the Philippines the passage of Typhoon Haiyan has caused floods and landslides in Vietnam, where 19 people were killed and over 80 thousand have fled from their homes . The province most affected is that of Quang Ngai , where military and police are trying to bring humanitarian aid to the population. Also the bordering area of Quang Nam suffered considerable damage: over 16,600 people have no shelter for the night.
A local government official in charge of aid, Nguyen Hoai Phuong, explains: "The floods have affected everything. Between 60 and 80% of the area of Hoi An and the other two districts are submerged. Now the waters are receding, but slowly". The area that has suffered most casualties is Binh Dinh , where 12 people were killed and 2 are missing.
Meanwhile, the Philippines is observing a day of fasting and prayer invoked by the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal . Tagle , to express solidarity with the victims of the typhoon. In a letter sent to the diocesan clergy, religious and the community of the faithful , the cardinal asked everyone to spend the whole day in penance , meditation and fasting.
The initiative, called " Day of Tears and Hope : solidarity through prayer " expresses "the sense of communion and solidarity that has emerged these days among the people of the Philippines ." The same Card Tagle will lead a prayer and hour of adoration at 8 pm , at the parish of San Fernando de Dilao in Manila.
