The European Union (EU) has released €650,000 (US$722,000) in humanitarian aid following the devastating impact of typhoon Yagi in Vietnam to help address the most pressing needs, such as food, water and sanitation, and healthcare.

To support Vietnam's emergency response, the EU also activated the Copernicus Emergency Satellite Mapping Service on September 11.

So far, ten maps have been produced, the bloc said in a press release posted on its official website on Wednesday.

In addition, the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam has announced funding of €250,000 ($278,130) to aid UNICEF in providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene support for vulnerable children and families affected by the disaster.

Various EU member states' diplomatic missions and European businesses based in Vietnam are also arranging to help with humanitarian efforts.

Typhoon Yagi has left a trail of destruction in northern Vietnam since it made landfall on September 7.

It was one of the strongest typhoons ever recorded in the region.

Hundreds have been confirmed dead or missing, while roads, schools, factories, hospitals, and other infrastructures were destroyed, causing economic losses of about $2 billion.

Janez Lenarčič, European commissioner for crisis management, expressed his condolences to all the victims and their families impacted by the natural disaster.

He affirmed the bloc’s readiness to help the affected communities with all the means at its disposal.

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