National week for natural disaster preparedness launched
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held a ceremony in the northern port city of Hai Phong on May 14 to launch the first-ever National Week for Natural Disaster Preparedness and Control.
Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung, head of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)
HaiPhong (VNA) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held aceremony in the northern port city of Hai Phong on May 14 to launch the first-everNational Week for Natural Disaster Preparedness and Control.
Theweek has been designated by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc for the period fromMay 15-22 each year.
Itaims to encourage all-level authorities, organisations and people to standready for disaster combat, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung, head of theCentral Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, said atthe ceremony.
Theofficial highlighted major achievements recorded in the work thanks to jointefforts of the entire society over the past years. However, he also pointed outthat the domestic disaster forecasting and early warning system has yet to meetrequirements given worsening impact of climate change and sea level rise.
Besides,economic development has its role to play in the rise of disaster risks, hesaid, stressing the need for the society to set forth new visions and strategicorientations, work out and take concerted measures and mobilise socialresources to combat natural disasters.
Vietnamis one of the countries hardest hit by disasters which leave 300 locals deadand missing each year, costing the country an average of around 1-1.5 percent ofits gross domestic product (GDP), Dung said.
Hecalled for active response to the campaign from ministries, agencies,localities, political-social organisations, schools and armed forces, focusingon the communication work.
Itis a must to perfect relevant institutions and policies, upgrade river and seadykes, reservoirs and storm shelters, invest in the infrastructure in serviceof early forecasting and warning, and step up international cooperation in thework, the Deputy PM said.
Hecalled on international organisations, businesses, the private sector anddonors to continue accompanying the Vietnamese Government and people indisaster prevention and control.
Accordingto Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Tung, with a 125kmcoastline, Hai Phong is ravaged by up to three storms each year. Total lossescaused by disasters in the locality over the past five years exceeded 1trillion VND (43 million USD).-VNA
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Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung, head of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA) 
