"Silent Contributions 2025" highlights solutions to improve people's lives

Thao said that women are often marginalized in livelihood recovery efforts, despite their crucial role in caring for elderly family members and children.

The "Silent Contributions 2025" media program was jointly conducted by Kinh te & Do thi (Economic & Urban) Newspaper, ActionAid Vietnam and the Vietnam Fund for Social Security Programs and Projects (AFV).

Now in its fifth year, the annual program gathers experts and different stakeholders who are dedicated to the common drive for better communities. In addition, this year's agenda will cover journalistic field trips to document the social security challenges faced by women workers and village artisans, and a writing competition open to both professional and amateur writers, among others.

Increased risks for vulnerable groups and solutions 

Statistics show that in 2024, natural disasters left 514 people dead or missing, three times more than in 2023, and caused economic losses of about US$3.47 billion, more than nine times the previous year's losses. Women workers continue to be among the most vulnerable groups.

Speaking at a seminar titled "Solutions to Secure Livelihoods for Workers After Natural Disasters", part of the program, Cao Thi Luyen, Chairwoman of the Nam Phuong Tien Commune Women's Union, highlighted the challenges faced by women in disaster-stricken areas.

She said the natural disasters put women's health at risk and deprive them of their homes and jobs. After floods, they have to clean up, repair and rebuild their homes, which takes time and money.

"Disasters contaminate their agricultural land, causing loss of crops and livestock and exacerbating diseases such as pneumonia, dengue fever and gynecological problems. With lower incomes from agriculture, families struggle with rising recovery costs," she said.

According to Hoang Manh Hung, Senior Lecturer of Agricultural Economics and Business at the National University of Economics, the rural infrastructure is weaker than urban areas, making them more vulnerable to severe damage.

"Vietnam is moving toward high-tech, green and circular agriculture to increase economic value, but investors still face challenges due to increasing disaster risks," he said.

Hung stressed the importance of short-term vocational training and disaster resilience education. "Government agencies need to provide continuous training and support to help rural workers adapt. Early warning systems, preparedness training and timely information are crucial for effective response," he said.

Dang Duc Hanh, Deputy Director of the Bank's Social Policy Department, emphasized the need for targeted financial support. "Funds should be allocated based on the risk level and specific needs of the community immediate relief and long-term recovery as well," he said.

Meanwhile, Luu Anh Nguyet, an expert at the Institute for Strategic and Financial Economic Policy under the Ministry of Finance, pointed out that the implementation of disaster insurance still faces obstacles. Expanding eligibility, increasing insurance subsidies, and raising public awareness of the policy's benefits remain critical challenges, she noted.

“Silent Contributions” to recognize environmental and climate efforts

As part of the "Silent Contributions" program, the organizing committee launched a writing contest for professional and amateur writers nationwide.

The competition welcomes submissions that reflect the challenges of environmental pollution and climate change and their serious impact on the economy, nature and people's lives.

It also aims to promote legal awareness among employers in artisan villages and remote ethnic minority areas.

Entries published between January 1 and October 30, 2025 may be submitted to nhungconghienthamlang2025@gmail.com. The total prize pool for both the professional and amateur categories exceeds US$9,400.