Meeting marks Natural Disaster Prevention and Control Day
The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, in collaboration with the United Nations in Vietnam, held a meeting in Hanoi on May 20 in response to Vietnam’s Natural Disaster Prevention and Control Day (May 22) with the theme “Joining hands for a society safe from natural disasters.”
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) shakes hands with a delegate at the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention andControl, in collaboration with the United Nations in Vietnam, held a meeting inHanoi on May 20 in response to Vietnam’s Natural Disaster Prevention andControl Day (May 22) with the theme “Joining hands for a society safe fromnatural disasters.”
The event,which saw the attendance of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, was broadcast liveon the Vietnam Television’s VTV1 Channel.
Accordingto Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong, who is alsohead of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention andControl, many practical activities have been implemented nationwide in recentdays, such as the building of 400 flood-resistant houses for poor households incentral coastal areas.
Localresidents living in areas with a high risk of flashfloods and landslides inmountainous regions have been evacuated, while erosion in river banks, andcoastal areas in the Red River Delta region have been tackled, he noted.
Naturaldisaster prevention have been integrated with operations of agencies, organisationsand schools, along with swimming training for children, disaster forecastingand communications in the field.
Especially,media agencies have increased communications to raise public awareness and skillsof coping with natural disasters, said Cuong, adding that many enterprises,donors and international organisations have also supported needy people innatural disaster prevention and control, while localities have also appliednecessary measures in the field.
Meanwhile,Youssouf Abdei Jelil, UNICEF’s Representative in Vietnam, said that it isnecessary to make more efforts and give resources to enhance people’sresilience against natural disasters, especially among vulnerable groups suchas women, children and the elderly.
At the sametime, it is vital to help improve people’s skills in natural disasterprevention and control, while expanding the Government’s partnership withorganisations and people in the field, he said.
At the event,a seminar was held for representatives of the Vietnam Disaster ManagementAuthority, localities and enterprises. Individuals and collectives withoutstanding performance in natural disaster prevention and control were alsohonoured at the meeting.-VNA
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Poor households in the Mekong Delta provinces of Ca Mau and Ben Tre will be provided with disaster-resilient houses funded by Tan Dai Hung Plastic JSC.
The year 2018 will see about 12 – 14 storms and tropical depressions in the East Sea, some 4 – 6 are forecast to directly affect Vietnam’s mainland, according to the National Hydro-Meteorological Centre (NHMC).
Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, said the World Bank remains committed to working with the Vietnamese government to develop the next phase of climate resilience and transformation for the Mekong Delta.
Under the directive, the PM instructed relevant agencies to regularly inspect, supervise and proactively implement disaster prevention, response and rescue measures in line with their assigned roles and mandates, ensuring readiness, avoiding passivity or delays, and maintaining operational continuity amid ongoing political and administrative restructuring at levels.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
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Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) shakes hands with a delegate at the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
