Kalmaegi, the 13th storm to hit the East Vietnam Sea this year, wreaked havoc on several central provinces, especially coastal communities in Gia Lai and Dak Lak, upon its landfall in the areas late on Thursday last week.

When a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporter visited the leprosy village on Sunday, many houses there remained in ruins. Their roofs were ripped off, walls cracked, and household belongings soaked under the blazing sun.

The Quy Hoa leprosy village is home to generations of leprosy patients and their families.

Dozens of the patients, most elderly or disabled, are now struggling without proper shelter.

Le Thi Qua, 67, a long-time patient, stood inside her shattered home cradling her grandchild, staring at the open sky where her newly repaired roof once was.

“We saved for months to buy new corrugated sheets,” she said.

“But before the storm even reached its peak, the roof was gone.”

Qua suffered minor injuries from falling beams as the wind ripped her house apart.

That night, her family of five ran through the storm seeking refuge with neighbors.

For now, they sleep in their small kitchen, one of the few corners still standing, waiting for help to rebuild.

Next door, 73-year-old patient To Thi Mo’s roof was also blown away by strong winds.

Unable to walk due to her advanced condition, Mo narrowly escaped being struck by a falling bunch of coconuts during the storm.

“I’m lucky to still be alive,” she murmured.

Seven family members, including her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, now sleep on mats under the surviving eaves.

The altar of her late husband, who died from leprosy complications, sits exposed to the elements.

According to Phan Giai, 60, head of the village’s security unit, nearly all 338 houses in the Quy Hoa leprosy village suffered roof damage or partial collapse.

“The residents are mostly elderly or disabled,” he said. “They can’t clean up or fix their homes without help.”

On Friday last week, local police and border guards arrived at the storm-battered village to assist with clearing fallen trees and debris.

Vu Tuan Anh, director of the Quy Hoa Central Hospital for Leprosy and Dermatology, said two patient homes were completely destroyed and 15 others lost their roofs.

“Even the hospital’s treatment buildings and administrative blocks were damaged," the doctor added.

“For many patients, this disaster has taken away the little stability they had.” 

The hospital is now relocating displaced residents to its medical housing facilities while repairs are underway.