UN, humanitarian partners aid typhoon-hit Philippines, Vietnam; storm may also hit Laos

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 3 (Xinhua): The United Nations, its partners and the Philippine government are assessing damage from deadly typhoon Goni, which is now moving toward central Vietnam, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.

Goni, the strongest tropical cyclone this year, made landfall in the eastern region of Bato, the Philippines, on Sunday with initial reports of at least 16 people dead in extensive flooding and damage to homes and infrastructure in Catanduanes and Albay provinces, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).