Twelve provinces across Vietnam have requested emergency rice supply from the central government in order to assist disaster-struck residents ahead of the Lunar New Year.

According to Le Viet Phai, an official from the Department of Social Support under the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the agency had received documents from 12 provinces as of Tuesday, asking for a total of 14,700 metric tons of rice to assist local residents.

The provinces include Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, Lao Cai, and Ha Nam in northern Vietnam; Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Quang Tri in the north-central region; Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, and Ninh Thuan in south-central Vietnam; and Dak Nong in the Central Highlands.

This kind of request for assistance before the Lunar New Year is not unprecedented, Phai said, explaining that about 19 provinces sought similar support during the same period last year.     

More requests are expected to be submitted as many provinces in the country, especially those in the central region and the Central Highlands, continue to feel the impact by prolonged downpours and flooding over the past year, devastating the lives of local citizens and the production of local paddies.

The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs issued a notice in November, asking authorities to review the local situation to determine the number of residents in need of support before making their requests.

The rice will be provided to the provinces until January 20 as the Lunar New Year is due on January 28.