Programme marks Natural Calamity Prevention Day

A programme was held in Da Nang on May 21 to mark the 71st anniversary of Vietnam’s Natural Disaster Prevention and Control Day (May 22, 1946 – 2017).

In the past few years, unusual and extreme natural disasters have occurred more frequently due to climate change. In particular, 2013 saw 19 storms, along with tropical depressions, salinisation, and water shortages.

Unseasonal flooding, landslides, and lightning have left 226 people dead or missing on average each year, causing a total loss of US$ 660 million per year.

It has become necessary to develop mechanisms and policies to control newly-arising disaster risks in socio-economic development, while consolidating the organisation of the Central Steering Committees for Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue Centres at all levels.

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung urged the improvement of disaster prevention at all levels, with strengthened communication campaigns to provide information for locals on disaster forecast and prevention.

He also asked for an accelerated implementation of schemes on disaster prevention, upgrading sea dikes, reservoirs and dams, developing community-based disaster management models, raising public awareness and building tsunami and flood warning systems. He also encouraged the development of a national database on disaster management for integration into local disaster prevention plans and socio-economic development.

Another core issue mentioned was the application of modern science and technological advances in advising and responding to natural disasters, especially the use of real-time tools.

Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung highly appreciated the effective efforts of organisations and individuals nationwide in supporting people affected by natural disasters.

Over the past few years, the Central Region Natural Disaster Prevention and Support Fund presented 11,000 gifts, built 87 natural disaster projects in the central provinces and planted 100 hectares of forests, provided training, disseminated information and raised people's awareness about natural disaster prevention and protection.

(Source: NDO)