National week for disaster prevention and control launched

The national week for natural disaster prevention and control 2019 was officially launched in the northern port city of Hai Phong on May 14.

Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: NDO)
Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: NDO)

The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung and over 1,000 representatives from Hai Phong and 20 cities and provinces.

The week aims to raise public awareness of the efforts to build a society resilient to natural disasters for sustainable development.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung said that, in Vietnam, disaster risk reduction is one of the urgent issues that need to be addressed.

Vietnam has taken measures to cope with climate change and prevent natural disasters, especially to improve the legal framework on natural disaster risk reduction, in which the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control plays a key role, he noted.

The Deputy PM also asked ministries, branches, and localities to make plans and arrange resources to carry out the Government’s Resolution on natural disaster prevention and climate change adaptation, as well as pay due attention to examining preventive measures, search and rescue vehicles, dyke safety and important infrastructure such as electricity, roads, hospitals, and schools.

At the launch ceremony, 40 portable swimming pools were donated to schools in the area to help children learn to swim in order to prevent drowning, while VND500 million sourced from the community fund for disaster prevention and control was granted to the Hai Phong Department of Education and Training to disseminate information and knowledge of water safety and guidance.