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Jun 29, 2018 / 08:21

Vietnam focuses on implementing measures to mitigate natural disasters

Vietnam has built six prioritized programs for natural disaster prevention, which include key contents of the UN Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction.

The information was announced at a recent consultation session in Hanoi named “Recommendation on integrating contents of the Sendai Framework in Vietnam’s national strategy on natural disaster prevention and control by 2030 with a vision toward 2050”.
The session was organized on June 27 by the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
 
At the consultation session. Photo: BT
At the consultation session. Photo: BT
Reports showed that based on the country’s situation and the Sendai Framework’s targets, Vietnam has been focused on efforts to reduce economic losses due particularly to storms, floods and droughts, via investment in natural disaster risk mitigation. 
The six prioritized programs deal with capacity building for central and local public agencies and communities; management system for natural disasters data; designing relevant plans for different levels of authorities; comprehensive risk mitigation for storms, floods, and droughts; preventative measures for flash flood and landslide; production and livelihoods restructuring for sustainable development of the Mekong Delta in response to climate change.
Speaking at the session, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang said more work is needed to complete institutions, policies and laws in order to improve effectiveness of natural disaster prevention. 
He noted that so far most attention has been paid to response investment instead of mitigation solutions, adding that many risks come from unsustainable development, citing the examples of infrastructure projects that increased disaster risks.
According to Takeya Kimio, technical advisor for the JICA President, since the formation of the Sendai action framework, Vietnam has made efforts to improve its natural disaster resilience. JICA wants to access information on Vietnam’s high-level strategy based on the framework, he stressed.
The expert said that in the first five years of Vietnam undertaking the framework, JICA will support the country in completing relevant institutions and designing and implementing action plans. The assistance will continue afterwards in strengthening the national strategy for natural risk reduction and building plans at the local level.
Currently, Vietnam is still facing the problem of sustainable development and disaster risk. Therefore, it is important to consider between development objectives and disaster risk reduction.