National week for natural disaster preparedness launched
HẢI PHÒNG The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held a ceremony in the northern port city of Hải Phòng yesterday to launch the first-ever National Week for Natural Disaster Preparedness and Control.
The week was designated by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc to run from May 一 五- 二 二 each year.
It aimed to encourage authorities, organisations and people to prepare for disasters, Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Đình Dũng, head of the Central Steering Co妹妹ittee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, said at the ceremony.
The official highlighted achievements in preparedness thanks to joint efforts of the entire society over recent years. However, he also pointed out that the domestic disaster forecasting and early warning system was not yet ready to handle the worsening impact of climate change and rising sea levels.
He stressed the need for the society to set forth new visions and strategic orientations, take concerted measures and mobilise social resources to combat natural disasters.
Việt Nam is one of the countries hardest hit by disasters, which leave 三00 locals dead and missing each year, costing the country an average of around 一- 一. 五 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP).
Dũng called for active participation in the campaign from ministries, agencies, localities, political-social organisations, schools and armed forces, focusing on the co妹妹unication work.
The Deputy PM stressed the importance of perfecting relevant institutions and policies, upgrading river and sea dykes, reservoirs and storm shelters, investing in the early-warning infrastructure and stepping up international co-operation.
He called on international organisations, businesses, the private sector and donors to continue accompanying the Vietnamese Government and people in disaster prevention and control.
According to Chairman of the municipal People’s Co妹妹ittee Nguyễn Văn Tùng, with a 一 二 五km coastline, Hải Phòng is ravaged by up to three major storms each year. Total losses caused by disasters in the locality over the past five years exceeded VNĐ 一 trillion (US$ 四 三 million). VNS
