And now the cleanup

The storm is long gone, but those who lost their homes and belongings have an even longer road ahead.

Typhoon Yagi seems like ancient history now.

Two weeks on and their are new crises around the globe to grab the headlines.

Without a doubt, there will be more next week, too.

But as the headlines move on, those affected are left to clean up, rebuild, and start again.

Which is exactly what has been happening here in Vietnam. It’s a very long road ahead, because the damage has been tremendous and widespread.

However: it has begun.

Blue Dragon and an army of volunteers have been assisting with the cleanup. Removing fallen trees, cleaning mud out of shacks and replacing lost belongings.

For me, there is one picture that most sums up Blue Dragon’s response to Yagi.

One of our social workers out in the community checking in with families. Down on her knees in a flooded street so that the child she’s talking to can look at her eye-to-eye.

This is our response: from the heart, human to human. Respectful and equal.

The cleaning and rebuilding will continue for many months. And it’s all possible because people around the world have donated, or put their hand up to volunteer, right at the time help was needed most.

To all who have been a part of this: Thank you.

Blue Dragon is still able to accept donations to help victims of Typhoon Yagi. All help will go to the effort to rebuild homes and livelihoods in northern Vietnam.