Vietnam among worst hit nations by extreme weather in past 20 years
Vietnam is among the 10 countries and territories most affected by extreme weather events in the past two decades, according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2019 of Germanwatch, which was released at the annual climate summit in Poland recently.
Downpour caused flooded streets in Nghe An central province (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is among the 10 countries and territories most affectedby extreme weather events in the past two decades, according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2019 of Germanwatch, which wasreleased at the annual climate summit in Poland recently.
Puerto Rico is at the topof the list, followed by Honduras and Myanmar. Vietnam is at the 9th place.
The report was preparedanalysing damages caused by the extreme weather events that took place from1998 to 2017.
According to the report,more than 526,000 people died worldwide and there were losses of 3.47 trillionUSD as a result of more than 11,500 extreme weather events between 1998 and2017.
Meanwhile,Vietnam was the sixth worst hit nation globally in 2017, the highest of anyASEAN country. This is the result of storms, typhoons and droughts in 2017,which killed 298 people. Thailand came at 10th place in the list.
Germanwatch, a Berlin-based environmental organisation,has urged countries toadopt the 'rule book' needed for implementing the Paris Agreement, including theglobal adaptation goal and adaptation communication guidelines.-VNA
The Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration (VMHA) has built a project to enhance the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting (NCHMF)’s capacity to generate warnings on thunderstorms, lightning, storms, and rain by installing five new radar stations across the country.
Vietnam has been a proactive and responsible nation, committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, said Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung during a reception for Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Hoesung Lee in Hanoi on October 10.
As one of the countries hardest hit by climate change, Vietnam has been actively performing international commitments and exerting efforts to ease its impacts, on official has said.
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.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
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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.
Downpour caused flooded streets in Nghe An central province (Photo: VNA) 
