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THE
PRIME MINISTER
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SOCIALIST
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence - Freedom – Happiness
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No: 172/2007/QD-TTg
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Hanoi, November 16th, 2007
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DECISION
TO APPROVE THE
NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR NATURAL DISASTER PREVENTION, RESPONSE AND MITIGATION TO
2020
THE PRIME
MINISTER
Pursuant to the Law on Organization
of Government dated 25th December 2001;
Pursuant to the Law on
Water Resource dated 20th May 1998; Pursuant
to the Law on Dyke dated 29th November 2006;
Pursuant to Ordinance on Flood and Storm Control
dated 20th March 1993 and the amended and revised
Ordinance on Flood and Storm Control dated 24th August 2000;
Pursuant to Decree 86/2003/NĐ-CP dated 18th July 2003 of the Government stipulating functions, duties, authority and organizational structure of the Ministry
of Agriculture and Rural Development;
Considering the request of Minister of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development cum Chairman of Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control,
DECIDES
Article 1. To approve the National Strategy for natural
disaster prevention, response
and mitigation to 2020 with the main contents as follow:
I. GENERAL PERSPECTIVE
1. Disaster management includes preparedness, response
to and recovery of consequences caused by disasters in order to ensure the sustainable socio-economic development and national security
and defense.
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3. Disaster prevention, response and mitigation are joint actions of
Government and citizens that effectively utilize state resources as well as
take advantage of all possible resources of the community, national
and international organizations and individuals.
4. Disaster prevention, response and mitigation shall be
integrated into socio- economic
development master planning and
plans of every region, sector, and nation-wide.
5. Disaster prevention, response and mitigation
shall be giving priority to disaster
preparedness, keeping studying on impacts
of the global climate change, storm surge and other extreme climate
phenomena for appropriate response
actions.
II. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
1. Government consolidates the State management
on disaster prevention, response and
mitigation nationwide; Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development is
the standing agency and to cooperate
with relevant agencies to support Government in executing the state management
in the field of DM.
2. Ensure to follow the directions of the
ruling Party and the
policies, and legislation of the State.
Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the state management and increase the responsibility of every organization and individual for disaster prevention, response and mitigation. Step by step complete institutions and organizational mechanisms from central to
local levels Raise awareness and disseminate
experience on disaster
prevention, response
and mitigation, especially at commune, village, and hamlet
level.
3. The National Strategy for
disaster prevention, response and
mitigation must be implemented in synchronous, period-based and
priorities-based manners, responsive
to both intermediate and long-term
purposes. The principles used for disaster prevention, response and mitigation in Vietnam is the “four-on-the-spot”
(command on the spot, man-power on the spot, materials
on the spot and logistics on the spot) and proactive prevention,
timely response, quick and effective recovery.
Disaster recovery should be combined with reconstruction and upgrading
to ensure sustainable development of
each area and sector.
4. Investment for disaster prevention, response and mitigation is critical to ensure a sustainable
development. Government shall ensure the availability of necessary resources and
mobilize the contribution of community and the whole society for disaster prevention,
response and mitigation. Investment for disaster prevention, response and mitigation must combine
both structural and non- structural measures, for multipurpose, and be harmonized with the nature, and environment.
5. Ensure the implementation of international
commitments in the field of disaster prevention, response and mitigation.
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1. General goal:
Mobilize all resources
to effectively implement disaster prevention, response
and mitigation from now up to 2020 in order to minimize
the losses of human life and properties, the damage of
natural resources and cultural heritages, and the degradation of environment,
contributing significantly to ensure
the country sustainable development,
national defense and security.
2. Specific objectives:
a) Enhance the capacities of forecasting
flood, storm, drought, seawater intrusion, of informing earthquake, of warning
tsunami and extreme hydro- meteorology phenomena, of which the focus is given to increase
the early warning of storm and tropical depression to 72 hours in advance.
b) Ensure that the development
planning and building codes of socio-
economic structures and residential areas
in places frequently affected
by disaster suit to regional standards for flood and storm control;
and socio-economic development plans and sectoral
plans are integrated with the strategy and plans
of disaster prevention, response and mitigation for a sustainable
development.
c) Ensure 100% of local staffs who directly
work in the field of disaster prevention, response
and mitigation at all levels to be trained
and strengthened of
capacities for disaster prevention, response
and mitigation; ensure more than 70%
of population living in
disaster prone areas to be disseminated
of knowledge on disaster mitigation.
d) Complete the relocation, arrangement and stabilization of the life for
people in disaster prone areas according to the planning approved by authorized government
agencies. Up to 2010, manage
to relocate all population from flash flood and land slide high-risk areas and dangerous areas to safety places.
đ) Direct the collaboration and
cooperation among forces of
search and rescue to take initiative in responding to emergency situations;
ensure adequate investment for construction of technical infrastructure and facilities, for procurement of equipment and for human
resource development to deal with disaster search and rescue in line with the Master Planning for Search and Rescue to
2015, with vision up to 2020 approved by Prime Minister on Decision 46/2006/QĐ-
TTg on 28th February 2006.
e) Ensure safety for the dyke systems at provinces
from Ha Tinh province up
to the North of the country; improve
the flood-resistant capacity of embankment systems in the Coastal Central
region, Central Highlands and the Eastern South; complete the consolidation and upgrading of seadyke
systems all over the country
to protect population, develop the sea economy, and ensure national
security and defense in coastal
areas.
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h) Complete
100% of construction of storm shelters for boats and ships
according to the planning approved by
authorized agencies.
i) Complete the fishery communication system; ensure that 100% of offshore fishing boats and ships have sufficient communication equipment; sign treaties
on sea rescue with other nations and territories in the region.
IV. RESPONSIBILITIES AND SOLUTIONS
1. General responsibilities and solutions
a) Consolidate the system
of laws, policies and mechanisms
- Go forward to formulate the Law on natural disaster prevention and
response based on the existing
Ordinance on Flood and Storm Control, suiting the national socio-economic development. Promulgate
policies on disaster relief and recovery for each region: living with flood,
flood diversion and retention,
flash- flood and landslide vulnerable areas etc.
- Integrate natural disaster
prevention, response and mitigation into social- economic development planning
and plans
- Stipulate policies encouraging research activities, investment
attraction, international cooperation, and
resources mobilization … for
disaster management.
- Produce plannings, plans, zonings and conduct disaster
risks assessments to formulate suitable policies for each region, locality,
and critical zone, and to found
bases for a proactive disaster preparedness; stipulate criteria and technical
instructions of construction in disaster prone areas; revise and supplement standards and regulations on disaster
forecast and warning.
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- Continue to strengthen the
leading bodies of disaster management
at ministries and sectors, and at both central and local levels.
- Review and complement
to improve the functions, duties of and cooperation mechanisms among the Committees for Flood and
Storm Control, Committees for Search and Rescue at central, ministerial and local levels.
- Professionalize the staffing for disaster prevention, response and
mitigation. Upgrade working places for steering agencies/bodies in the field of
disaster prevention, response and mitigation at all levels with appropriate equipments and
technologies.
- Encourage the establishment of organizations supporting disaster management, of coaching and training centers, and public service organizations
for disaster prevention,
response and mitigation.
c) Human resources development and social mobilization
- Adopt socialization policies in disaster prevention, response and mitigation in which favorable conditions are created for the participation of local residents in formulating
legislation, plans and programs, in managing
and monitoring the implementation of local programmes and projects.
- Promote community awareness raising and information dissemination. Build the resilience to
disaster and promote the tradition
of mutual
support in disaster situation. Organize self-response
forces in communities for active emergency
search and rescue. Promote the role
of social organizations and associations in disaster response and recovery. Develop volunteer networks for disaster propaganda, advocacy,
recovery and production
rehabilitation… Encourage
national and international organizations
and individuals to develop diverse and
efficient ways of support for disaster affected people and areas.
- Increase the training of the human resource to meet requirements for disaster prevention, response and
mitigation, especially human resources for relevant advisory and administration
agencies.
d) Financial resources
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- The State decentralizes to People’s Committees
of provinces and districts in investment and mobilization of legitimate
resources for disaster prevention, response and mitigation.
- Gradually increase the annual budget
for strengthening the management capacities, implementing new construction projects, upgrading
and maintaining structures; and for projects of planning, of improving equipment and facilities for disaster forecast, warning, rescue,
relief, recovery and production
rehabilitation.
- The State has policies to provide preferences and to protect legitimate
interests of organizations and individuals investing
in disaster prevention, response and mitigation, to encourage
national and international organizations and individuals to invest
in researching and applying science
and modern technologies in
the combination with traditional methods.
- Encourage national and international organizations and individuals to finance activities of disaster prevention, response and mitigation and
conduct humanitarian and charity
activities for disaster affected
localities. Conduct studies to establish disaster insurance
regimes and disaster self-financing
funds.
đ) Community awareness
raising
- Promote activities for information dissemination, education,
awareness and disaster response
capacity raising for communities. Include
basic knowledge about natural disaster prevention, response
and mitigation into school curriculum to help children
know how to respond to and support their family and community in disaster situations;
- Provide training for those who are directly involved in disaster prevention and mitigation, especially for
decision-makers, managers, planners,
practitioners, and local officers;
e) Develop science and technologies related to natural disaster prevention, response and mitigation.
- Promote basic investigation and investment for scientific research and new technology application in disaster prevention, response and
mitigation.
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- The State encourages the application
of advanced scientific and technological
achievements to improve capacities of disaster forecast, prediction,
warning, and communication; to improve research capacities
to observe the Earth’s
variability and natural changes in the region and territory; encourages the
application of advanced technology
and new materials for disaster
prevention, response and mitigation
- Step by step develop scientific sectors
related to disaster: emergencies, disaster management, sustainable development, health care, post-disaster environmental
and production recovery.
g) Ensure safety for dyke, reservoir and dam systems
- Build, strengthen and upgrade
river and sea dyke systems to meet the design standards, and to be
suitably used for multi-purposes of
social-economic development.
Focus on enhancing quality of dykes, preventing dyke degradation, and
reducing the number of weak sections
on dyke foundation and sluices underneath
the dykes; Complete designed dyke cross-sections,
and harden of dyke surface
to serve for rural traffic.
Increase investment for dyke protection
replantation; consider the tending and protection of dyke protection trees as permanent
duties in the dyke protection
- Review plannings, and invest
to increase flood drainability of flood retention and divergence structures approved by authorized state agencies.
- Regularly inspect and evaluate the situation of the
existing reservoirs, repair, upgrade and newly build emergency
spillways to ensure safety for reservoirs;
complete the reservoirs’ operation procedures
for multi-usability, particularly in cases of large reservoirs involving to regulate water levels in flood and dry seasons
for downstream areas.
h) Enhance the search and rescue capacities:
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i) Promote international cooperation and integration
Boost regional and international cooperation in disaster warning, forecast, in education, training and technology
transfer, in sharing of information, experience and practical lessons to build up agreements,
and conventions for disaster
prevention, response and mitigation,
especially for emergency search and
rescue; Cooperate with international organizations to implement the UN
Convention for Climate Change, the
Kyoto Protocol, Hyogo Framework
for Action and other programmes; Work in collaboration with countries in the region on water resources exploitation, protection
and management.
2. Natural disaster prevention,
response and mitigation responsibilities and solutions for each region
a) The Red River Delta and the North Central
The approach applied for the areas is to radically
prevent floods, and to take initiatives in prevent and respond to storm, drought and storm surge, for which the following solutions must be taken in places in the same time:
- Enhance flood-prevention
capacity for river dyke systems, conduct in a synchronous manner
solutions including making flood control plannings
for
river systems, reviewing and adjusting dyke system plannings as bases for activities of dyke
construction, upgrading, protection, and management; strengthening of under- dyke structures; treatment of weak dyke foundation; and hardening of dyke surface
for rural traffic.
- Continue constructing new reservoirs and establish operation
procedures of the existing
large reservoirs to regulate water
levels for the downstream areas, preventing flood, drought and salt intrusion;
reforest to protect upstream watersheds.
- Improve the flood discharge
capacity for river channels through
removal of obstructions on the
river plain and river bed; dredging channels and completing flood divergence
projects.
- Implement programs to restore and upgrading sea dykes, to plant mangrove
and protection forests, to plant
grass to prevent dyke erosion, and to build bank protection structures in
coastal provinces.
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The approach applied for the areas is "Proactiveness in disaster
prevention, and adaptation for development", for which following
solutions are considered as priorities:
- Establish plannings of residential, industrial and tourism areas; plan and construct disaster prevention and mitigation structures, and transportation infrastructures ensuring a
flood resilience and flood drainability.
- Transform crops and animal
husbandry structures to suit the
regional disaster characteristics and make full use of favorable natural conditions for development; prevent
the invasion of sand
dunes to plain areas and the desertification.
- Strengthen dykes, take advantage of and preserve natural sand dunes for prevention of
tsunami, sea water rise, and salinity intrusion;
build reservoirs, increase forestation, conduct solutions to increase run-off and underground water in
dry season, build structures to control drought and inundation; build bank protection structures, dredge river channels; build storm shelters for boats and ships; establish
and upgrade coastal communication stations for typhoon, sea rise
and tsunami warning.
- Promote research to find out solutions to prevent river mouth deposition, to dredge river channels for enhancing flood discharge and waterway transportation.
c) The Mekong River Delta
The approach of natural disaster
prevention, response and mitigation applied
for the Mekong river delta
is "living with flood", ensuring
safety for a sustainable
development; and taking initiatives to prevent
storm, thunderstorm, whirlwind, salinity intrusion, drought
at the same time, for which the following solutions
are to be focused:
- Establish plannings of flood control, to be proactive in flood prevention, reasonably use land and forest
resources and favorable natural conditions of the region.
- Specific measures
for flood and salitation control include:
Construction of residential
clusters and infrastructure above flood level,
improvement of flood discharge for rivers and canals, construction of sea dykes, estuary dykes, embankments,
reservoirs, and other structures for
salinity prevention and fresh water preservation.
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- Enhance international cooperation with countries in the Mekong river basin to
reasonably use and protect
water resources. Continue researching, coordinating with
upstream countries to find out solutions for flood control in rainy season, run- off
maintaining in dry season to prevent saline intrusion;
and for response to the sea
level rise.
d) Mountainous areas and Central Highlands
The approach applied for the areas is to "proactively prevent natural disasters", for which following solutions are focused:
- Define and map areas
highly prone to flash floods, landslides, geological hazards; make residential planning,
evacuate population in dangerous areas,
make land use planning, restructure
crops, manage mineral
exploitation to prevent harmful impacts
on the environment and landslide risks, properly plant and exploit forests.
- Establish warning and communication systems down to commune and village levels; build structures to prevent landslides and flash floods;
expand flood discharge openings of sluices and bridges on traffic
roads to ensure flood drainability; build reservoir system for both flood and drought control.
- Strengthen the cooperation with bordering countries
in disaster forecasting, warning, search and rescue.
đ. Sea areas
The approach applied for disaster prevention, response and mitigation in sea areas is “proactive prevention
and response,” to ensure the safety for human life and
activities, and take advantages
of resources to develop the sea economy, for which
the following solutions are focused:
- Establish a management system of vehicles and boats operating at sea, giving priorities for management
of fisherfolk before and during disaster.
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- Strengthen the cooperation with other countries and territories in disaster
forecasting, warning, communication, search
and rescue, storm shelter provision and reasonable exploitation of natural
resources at sea.
V. ACTION PLAN
Focus to implement the following target programs up to 2020:
1. Non-structural measures
a) The program on improvement of legislation and policies
- Promulgate the Law on disaster prevention, response and mitigation.
- Review, amend, supplement related legal documents.
- Promulgate disaster relief and recover policies, preventing speculation and price
increase, and supporting the environment and production rehabilitation after disaster.
- Promulgate assistance policies for disaster prone areas.
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- Implement disaster risk insurance in some sectors
b) The program on consolidation of organizational structures
- Annually, consolidate the steering mechanism for disaster prevention, response and mitigation at all levels.
- Provide training courses to enhance capacities
for staff working in the field
of disaster prevention, response
and mitigation.
- Establish organizations
supporting disaster management.
c) The programme to make and review
plannings
- Define and map areas highly prone to flash
floods, river and sea erosion, storm, earthquake, sea level rise, tsunami.
Map out the flood areas to assess risks of flood and drought.
- Review and amend the flood prevention and control plannings of the Red
River and Thai Binh River systems,
of the Mekong River Delta, of rivers
in the Central region, from Khanh Hoa
to Thanh Hoa provinces, rivers in the South Central and
the Eastern South of Viet Nam.
- Review and amend river and sea dyke system plannings
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- Review and amend the land use plannings to link with disaster prevention and control.
- Review and amend plannings to protect and develop mangrove
forests for sea dyke systems
and in coastal areas.
- Review and amend the construction plannings in disaster prone areas.
- Review and amend the integrated exploitation and management plannings
of river basins.
d) The programs on strengthening of disaster warning
and forecast capacities
- Strengthen flood
warning and forecast capacities for the Red River Delta, Mekong River Delta, rivers in the Central region, Central Highlands and the Eastern
South of Viet Nam.
- Strengthen capacities to
forecast and warn storm, flood,
earthquake, drought, salty
intrusion, and to warn tsunami.
- Strengthening flash flood warning and forecast capacities
for mountainous provinces
e) The programs on community awareness
raising
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- Conduct trainings for and disseminate information/knowledge/experience on
disaster prevention, response and mitigation to communities
living in disaster prone areas.
- Disseminate information and propagandize on natural disaster issues
via mass media.
f) The programs on forestation and protection of upstream forests:
- Establish, manage, protect,
develop and sustainably use 16.24 million
ha of forestry land; increase the area of forest coverage
to 42-43% by 2010 and to 47% by
2020.
- Pay attention to develop and explore non-wood forestry
products in the areas of protection forests to make forests protection
beneficial to local people.
- Plant trees to protect dyke systems.
g) The program on strengthening of disaster management capacities and
science and technology application
- Strengthen capacities for disaster management agencies
from the central
to
local level, and for search and rescue forces.
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- Apply scientific and technological advances
as well as new techniques and materials for natural disaster prevention,
response and mitigation.
- Improve information and communication systems and management of boats and ships at sea
- Establish procedures to ensure safety for children,
old and disabled people in disaster prone areas:
- Establish volunteer networks
for natural disaster
prevention, response and mitigation
2. Structural measures
- The programme to review, upgrade and newly build natural
disaster prevention, response and mitigation structures matching the designed standards
and each region’s disaster characteristics.
- The programme to construct reservoirs and establish operation procedures of reservoirs to effectively explore water
resources and regulate water levels for downstream areas to respond to flood and drought.
- The programme to expand flood discharge openings of bridges and sluices
along road and railroad systems.
- The programme to construct erosion prevention
structures
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- The programme to construct storm shelters for boats and ships.
- The programme to construct
residential clusters for flood and storm
avoidance.
The list of programs and projects, of implementing organizations, collaborating organizations and durations are stipulated in Annex I attached to this
Decision.
VI. EVALUATION OF THE STRATEGY
IMPLEMENTATION
Criteria to evaluate the strategy
implementation include:
- The legal documents,
mechanism, policies related to
disaster prevention, response and mitigation.
- The disaster forecast and warning capacities.
- The organizational mechanism for disaster
prevention, response and mitigation at all levels (4 levels).
- The search and rescue capacities of
specialized and community forces
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- Activities for education, information dissemination, community awareness
raising on disaster prevention,
response and mitigation.
- The community participation in formulating
legal documents, in planning,
managing and monitoring the
implementation of programs,
projects at local level.
- The self-preparedness, and response to disaster.
- The efficiency of contructed
disaster prevention and control structures.
- The sustainable development of each region, locality
under disaster impacts.
- The efficiency of investments for
disaster prevention and response.
- The science and technology application in disaster prevention and response.
- International cooperations in the field of disaster prevention, response and
mitigation.
Article 2. Organization for the strategy implementation
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- Guide, inspect
and urge the implementation of the Strategy in ministries,
sectors, localities; and act as the national
focal point with international communities in the field.
- Base on the attached
annex of the list of programs and projects,
establish specific programs and
action plans, identify priorities, and assign the implementation
responsibilities for ministries,
sectors, and localities.
- Inspect, examine and assess the Strategy implementation of ministries,
sectors, and localities. Conduct
review of the Strategy implementation every year and every five years to draw out experience, and recommend to Prime
Minister suitable adjustments to the contents, and solutions of the Strategy.
2. According to their own functions and duties, ministries, sectors
and localities are responsible for effectively implementing
relevant contents,
objectives, duties and solutions
stated in the Strategy.
3. Ministry of Planing and Investment takes lead and works in collaboration with Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture
and Rural Development, Central Committee for Flood and Storm
Control, National Committee for Search and Rescue and other revelant ministries and sectors to balance and arrange annual investment resources
in accordance with the Law on State Budget and other funding resources to effectively implement the
Strategy.
4. People’s Committees, Committees for Flood&Storm Control and
Search&Rescue at provincial
and city levels steer its departments to implement the
National Strategy, in which prioties are given to strengthen and newly build disaster
mitigation, prevention and response structures,
to organize disaster prevention,
response and mitigation
forces, to set plans protecting human life; at the same time,
disaster prevention, response
and mitigation is integrated
into local socio-economic development planning; and report the implementation results to Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development and Central Committee for Flood and
Storm Control on annual
basis.
Article 3. This Decision takes effect 15 days after its publication on the Official
Gazette.
Article 4. Ministers,
heads of ministry-level agencies, directors
of
Government departments,
and chairmen
of People’s
Committees of
provinces and central cities are responsible for executing this decision./.
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THE PRIME MINISTER
Nguyen Tan Dung
ANNEX I
LIST OF
PROGRAMS PROMULGATED AS ATTACHMENT TO THE NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR NATURAL
DISASTER PREVENTION, RESPONSE AND MITIGATION TO 2020
(Promulgated as attachment to the
DECISION No. 172/2007/QD-TTg on 16 November 2007 of Prime Minister)
Order
Content of
program/project
Leading organisation
Cooperated organisation
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Remarks
I.
COMPLETE THE SYSTEM OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS
1.
Natural Disaster Prevention, Response and Mitigation Law
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)
Relevant ministries,
industries and locals
2010-2012
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Review, amend and supplement relevant legal documents
MARD
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
frequent, annual
3
Promulgate
polices on disaster relief and recovery after the disaster
Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA)
MARD and relevant Ministries, industries and locals
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4
Promulgate
assistance policies for disaster prone
areas
MOLISA
MARD and relevant
ministries,
industries and locals
frequent, annual
5
Establish Financial self-reliant
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Ministry of Finance (MOF)
MARD and relevant ministries, industries and locals
2007-2020
6
Implement
disaster risk insurance in some
sectors
MOF
MARD and relevant
ministries,
industries and locals
2007-2020
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II
STRENGTHEN ORGANISATIONAL MECHANISM
1
Strengthen the steering mechanism for natural
disaster prevention, response and mitigation at all levels
Central Committee
for
Flood and Storm Control
(CCFSC)
Relevant ministries,
industries and locals
frequent, annual
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Provide training courses to improve the capacity of staff in charge of natural disaster
prevention, response and mitigation
MARD
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
frequent, annual
3
Establish organisations supporting natural disater management
Ministry of Home
Affairs (MOHA)
MARD and relevant ministries, industries and locals
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III.
NON-STRUCTURAL MEASURES
Program of establishing and reviewing plans
1
Create a zoning map
of flash-flood risk
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE)
Relevant ministries,
industries and locals
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2
Create a flood zoning map to assess risks caused by
flood
MARD
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
2007-2010
3
Create a zoning map
of evaluating risks caused by
drought
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Relevant ministries, industries and locals
2007-2012
4
Create a map
of identifying risks of earthquake and tsunami
Vietnamese
Academy of Science and
Technology
Relevant ministries,
industries and locals
2007-2015
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Create a map
of identifying risks of storm and
storm surge
MONRE
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
2007-2010
6
Create a map
of identifying risks of erosion in river bank or seaside
MARD
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
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7
Review, complement
plans of flood preparedness in Mekong River Delta
MARD, locals
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
once every 5 years
8
Review, complement
plans of flood preparedness in rivers of Central
regions, from Thanh Hoa to Khanh Hoa provinces
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Relevant ministries, industries and locals
once every 5 years
9
Review, complement
plans of flood preparedness in rivers of South
Central and East South regions
MARD, locals
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
once every 5 years
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Review, complement
plans of river and sea dyke systems
MARD, locals
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
once every 5 years
11
Review, complement
plans of protecting and maintaining
protective forests on the sea-shore and the coastal areas
MARD, locals
Relevant ministries,
industries and locals
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12
Review, complement
residential plans of flash-flood and landslide- prone mountainous areas
People’s Committee of
mountainous provinces
MONRE, MARD,
Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology
once every 5 years
13
Review, complement
residential plans of erosion-prone areas on rivers bank, river mouths and coastal region
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MONRE, MARD,
Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)
once every 5 years
14
Review, complement
plans of land use, linking with disaster preparedness
MONRE, locals
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
once every 5 years
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Review, complement
construction plans in disaster-prone
areas
Ministry of Construction (MOC)
Relevant ministries,
industries and locals
once every 5 years
16
Review, complement
plans of integrated management and exploitation river basins
MONRE
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
...
...
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Program of enhancing forecast and warning capacity
17
Strengthen capacity of storm forecast and warning
MONRE
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
frequent, annual
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Strengthen capacity of flood forecast and warning in
Red River Delta
MONRE
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
frequent, annual
19
Strengthen capacity of flood forecast and warning in
Mekong River Delta
MONRE
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
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20
Strengthen capacity of flood forecast and warning in
rivers of Central and Central Highlands, East South regions
MONRE
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
frequent, annual
21
Strengthen capacity of flash-flood forecast and
warning in mountainous provinces
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Relevant ministries, industries and locals
frequent, annual
22
Strengthen capacity of earthquake, tsunami informing
MONRE, Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology
Relevant ministries,
industries and locals
frequent, annual
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Program of improving the community awareness
23
Include knowledge related to natural disasters
into curriculums of
secondary schools
Ministry of Education and Training (MOET)
Relevant ministries,
industries and locals
2007 - 2020
24
Conduct training on natural disasters for communities living in disaster-prone areas
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National and
international organizations and individuals
frequent, annual
25
Propagandize and disseminate information on natural disaster via mass media
Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), Radio, Television
Relevant ministries,
industries and locals
frequent, annual
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Program of planting and preserving protective forest
26
Plant and preserve upstream forests
MARD, locals
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
2007-2020
27
Plant trees against sea
waves to protect dyke systems
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Relevant Ministries, industries and locals
2007-2020
Program of enhancing disaster management and science
and technology application capacity
28
Strengthen capacities of disaster management agencies
from central to local levels
MARD
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
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29
Strengthen capacities of the rescue and search forces
Ministry of Defense
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
2007-2020
30
Review, complement building
codes in line with natural
disasters characteristics in each
region
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Relevant ministries, industries and locals
2007-2010
31
Apply advanced technology, science and technique as
well as use new materials for natural disaster prevention, response and mitigation
MOST
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
2007-2020
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Complete communication system
and manage ships/boats operating
on the sea
MARD
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
2007-2010
33
Establish programs
to ensure safety for children, the old and the disabled in disaster-prone
areas
Locals
National and international organizations and individuals
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34
Establish volunteer networks for natural disaster prevention, response and mitigation
Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union
National and
international organizations and individuals
frequent, annual
IV
STRUCTURAL MEASURES
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The program to review, upgrade and build structures
for natural disaster prevention,
response and mitigation in line
with designed standards and
natural disaster characteristics of each region, each local
MARD
Relevant ministries,
industries and locals
frequent, annual
2
The program to build erosion prevention structures
People’s Committee of
provinces
Relevant ministries,
industries
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3
The program to strengthen and upgrade sea dyke systems
People’s Committee of
coastal provinces and cities
Relevant ministries, industries
2007-2015
4
The program to establish systems of structures prevent salt but preserve fresh water
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Relevant ministries,
industries and locals
2007-2020
5
The program to build systems of storm shelters
for boats, ships
MARD
Relevant ministries, industries and locals
2007-2015
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The program to upgrade dyke systems of Red river and Thai Binh river
MARD
Relevant ministries,
industries and locals
2007-2015
7
The program expand flood discharge openings of
bridges and sluices along road and railroad systems
Ministry of Transportation
Relevant ministries,
industries and locals
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8.
Continue to build reservoirs for water flow adjustment and flood drainage
MOC, MARD
Relevant ministries,
industries and locals
2007-2020
ANNEX II
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(Promulgated as attachment to the
DECISION No. 172/2007/QD-TTg on 16 November 2007 of he Prime Minister)
I. NATURAL DISASTER IN VIETNAM
1. General context
In recent decades, natural disasters have increasingly happened in term of
severity over the world, causing serious consequences to human life, especially
to the poor. Disasters are natural phenomena, however their magnitude and
consequences have been exacerbated due to human activities during the process
of socio-economic development, with technologies, urbanization, population
boom, and natural resources and environmental degradation. In the past 2
decades, more than 200 million people on average directly suffered from the
consequences of natural disasters every year.
Vietnam is located in the tropical monsoon area, one of the five
storm-prone areas of the Asia Pacific region. Therefore the country often faces
natural disasters of various types. In recent years, disasters have continually
occurred all over the country, causing vast losses in human life, property,
socio-economic and cultural infrastructure as well as environmental
degradation. In the recent decade (1997-2006), natural disasters such as
typhoons, floods and droughts have caused significant losses, including 7500
missing and dead people, and asset damage equivalent to 1.5% of GDP. Natural
disasters in Vietnam have been increasingly severe in terms of magnitude,
frequency and volatility.
2. Geographical and socio-economic background of Vietnam
a. Geographical location and topography
The territory of Vietnam stretches across 15 north latitude degrees (from
8o30’ to 23o20’) and 7 east longitude degrees (from 102 o 10’ to 109 o 20’),
bordering China in the North, Laos and Cambodia in the West, and facing the
East Sea in the East and the South.
With the total territory area of 329,241 km2 and a coastal line of 3,260
km, every 100 km2 of land has 1 km of coastline averagely. Its width is about
600 km at the widest part and 50 km at the narrowest point.
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Plains account for ¼ of the territorial area, consisting of the Red River
delta, the central coastal plains, the Southeast plains and the Mekong River
delta.
The territory is divided into seven economic and sub-climate zones, namely
the Northern Mountains, the Red River Delta, the North Central Coast, the South
Central Coast, the Central Highlands, the Eastern South and the Mekong River
delta.
With the above mentioned features, Vietnam frequently suffers from storms,
floods, and other types of natural disasters.
b. Soil conditions and vegetation cover
The North region has the most complicated geological structure compared
with other regions in the country. One third of the northern mountains consist
of rock with a thin weathered layer, which is infertile and poorly
water-absorption. Black soil is often distributed in calcareous areas which are
rich in calcium and magnesium. Mountains and hills occupy 80% of the regional
land area. The forest coverage in this region is lowest in the country. The
northern mountains and highlands still have much bare land and hills. Alluvial
land area in the Red River delta only accounts for 14% of the total area of the
North. The ancient alluvial soil in this region is often characterized by the
yellow and brown color, small amount of clay, poor in water absorption, and
prone to drought and erosion.
The North Central Coast has a large proportion of mountains and hills,
small and narrow plains with unfertile soil and limited alluvial land area. The
most common types of soil in this region are light yellow soil in high
mountains, red soil, brown-red soil, yellow-red soil, depleted grey soil,
erosion prone soil. The forest coverage in the region is 28%. Bare land and
hills account for 3.4% of the natural land area.
The South Central Coast has a complex and diverse geological structure
with various types of soil including alluvial soil, coastal sandy soil, and
exhausted soil, etc. The forest coverage is relatively high (34.5%).
The geological structure in the Central Highlands is made of 2 covering
layers: a soft covering layer and a weathered layer. Alluvial soil in the
region only accounts for 2.8% of the natural land area, black soil accounts for
1.86%, and depleted grey soil 10%. The yellow red soil accounts for a large
proportion of 68.2%. The forest coverage in the region is considerably high at
about 60%.
The Eastern South has a relatively similar geological structure as the
Central Highlands with two major types of soil, namely grey soil and red soil.
The forest coverage is about 19.5%.
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In general, the geological structure in Vietnam is relatively stable with
many high mountain ranges scattered in every regions; the territory is separated
by dense river systems. Earthquake occurs in the Western North region though it
is at low frequency and magnitude. Additionally, high and steep mountain ranges
make the region very vulnerable to landslides and flash floods.
c). Climate
There is a great difference in temperatures amongst regions, seasons and
between day and night in each region. The North has 4 distinct seasons, whereas
the South has only the dry season and rainy season, and the Central is affected
by the South West monsoon.
Evaporation is relatively high and different amongst the regions, of those
the South East and the Mekong River Delta have the highest evaporating level.
Humidity is also high and fluctuated between the regions and seasons. The
South is often less humid than other regions in the country.
Rainfall: Vietnam is located at the edge of South East Asia where is
bordered by the Pacific and the Indian Oceans. It is also influenced by various
continental and ocean air blocks. Therefore, the rainfall is high but
fluctuated and varied throughout the country. The average annual rainfall is
approximately 2,000 mm. The Middle Central Part of VN is often observing the
highest average annual rainfall, while the South Central Part has the lowest
rainfall.
1.2.4. Hydrology
As its territory is separated by mountain ranges, Vietnam has dense river
networks. There are 2,360 rivers of 10 km and above length. 13 river systems
have the basin area of 3000 km2 and above, in which 9 river systems have the
basin area of more than 10,000 km2, namely Mekong river, Red river, Ca river,
Ma river, Thai Binh river, Dong Nai river, Ba river, Bang Giang – Ky Cung river
and Thu Bon river.
The catchments area of Vietnam river systems is 1.167 million km2, of
which 835,000 km2 outside its territory (71.5%). The average flow is 835
billion m3 for years, of which 313 billion m3 (37.5%) is originated in Vietnam
territory
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Rapid population growth and urbanization have caused serious pressure,
causing the natural resources and environment degraded. The total population in
the country has reached more than 85 million people now. In the near future,
the population of Vietnam will be about 100 million people (as reported at APEC
2006). The rapid population growth in the areas of potential productiveness has
led to land shortages, for both residential and cultivation purposes. The human
being has encroached the river channels, river estuaries, coastline, river and
stream sides; exploited natural resources and minerals in an uncontrollable manner,
as well as cut down and burnt forests, and increased the amount of wastes.…
These are the factors that constraint the water flow, impoverish the land, silt
reservoirs, cause landslides in the mountainous and hilly areas, as well as mud
and rock floods. As a result, natural disaster risks have risen.
The average economic growth was beyond 7%/year in the 1990s and will be
even higher in the next 2 decades. If there is no integration of natural
disaster prevention, response and mitigation in the development process, this
growth may cause more environmental pollution and break the ecological balance,
resulting in increased disaster risks and an unsustainable development.
3. Typical natural disasters in Vietnam
a. Typhoon
Vietnam is located in the northwest of the Pacific Ocean, one of the
storm-prone areas with a vast and violent number typhoons and an increasing
trend especially in the recent 3 decades. Typhoon is one of the major and
dangerous types of natural disasters in Vietnam. In more than 50 years
(1954-2006), there were totally 380 typhoons and tropical depressions in
Vietnam, of which 31% hit the North, 36% to the Northern Central and Middle
Central Part and 33% to the South Central and the South. Typhoon’s landfalls
usually accompany with high tide and heavy rain, thus resulting in heavy and
long rains and floods. It is estimated that up to 80-90% of the Vietnam’s
population are affected by typhoons.
b. Floods
Floods in Northern river systems
The basin areas of the Red River-Thai Binh River are 164,300 km2, in which
87,400 km2 are on the territory of Vietnam, crossing 23 provinces and cities
and accounting for 75.7% of the natural land area of the North.
Flood season in the Red river and Thai Binh river system normally occurs
from May to September, earlier than that in other regions. On average, there
are about 3 to 5 floods within the region annually, each of them may last from
8 to 15 days, depending on its scale and strength. Major floods in the Red
river are often generated from 3 rivers of Da, Thao and Lo, of which the Da
River plays a decisive role contributing 37%-69% of the flood flow in Son Tay
(49.2% on average), while the Lo river contributes 17%-41.5% (28% on average)
and the Thao river contributes the lowest proportion – 13%-30% (19% on
average). Floods in the Thai Binh River are often generated from 3 rivers of
Cau, Thuong and Luc Nam and partly from the Red river through the Duong river.
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Floods on rivers in the Central
The flood season on the rivers from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh is from June to
October every year. Floods on these rivers generally occur on main streams
thanks to the dyke systems preventing the overflow. Flood amplitude is above 7m
on the Ma river system and above 9m on the Ca river system.
On the rivers from Quang Binh to Binh Thuan, the flood season is from
September to December. This region is characterized by short and steep river
systems with rapid flows. Dyke systems in this region are relatively low or
uncompleted. Therefore, floods not only occur on the mainstreams but also
spread across the floodplains with the amplitude of above 8m.
Floods on rivers in the Central Highlands
There is no major river system in the region, and annual precipitation is
low. The influenced area of floods in this region is narrow and characterized
by mountainous and flash floods. Flood amplitude at Dabla bridge on the Dabla
river is 10m.
Floods in the Eastern South rivers
Since rainfall is not very high plus a thick and diverse vegetation cover
forests, floods in the Dong Nai river are not strong but long-lasting.
Nevertheless, historical floods were seen such as in October 1952, the flood
discharge crest in Bien Hoa was 12,500 m3/s.
Floods in the Mekong River Delta
The flooding level in the Mekong river delta is generated from upstream
floods and also directly influenced by tides and water reserving capacity of
Tonle Sap. The progress of floods in the Mekong river delta is slow and floods
last for a long period of 4 to 5 months annually, causing inundation in almost
areas of the Mekong river delta.
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Flash and mud floods are often found in mountainous and hilly areas where
are characterized by steep slopes, heavy rains and disadvantaged drainage
conditions. Flash floods also may occur due to the failures of small reservoirs
or landslides blocking up flows, etc. Flash floods have occurred and threatened
in all 33 mountainous provinces of the 4 regions, namely the Northern
Mountains, the Central, the Central Highlands and the Eastern South of VN. Due
to climate changes in recent years, flash floods have become more frequent in
Vietnam with 2 to 4 flash floods on average happen every year during the flood
season. In many cases, flash floods happen frequently at a same location. The
occurrence of flash floods is usually sudden and within a small area, but very
severe and often causes tremendous human and asset losses. Some typical flash floods
are the one happened in Son La town on 27 July 1991, in Muong Lay and Lai Chau
in 1994, in Ha Tinh on 20 September 2002, in Yen Bai in 2005, etc. Currently
flash floods are unpredictable but can be proactively prevented by zoning high
risk areas and establishing warning systems.
d) Inundation
Inundation in Vietnam is usually caused by heavy rains and it last for
long time in some areas. Although resulting in limited human loss, it causes
remarkably negative impacts on agricultural production and the ecological
environment.
dd) Droughts and desertification
Drought is a common type of disaster in Vietnam, which causes the 3rd
greatest losses, following typhoons and floods. In recent years, drought
continuously happens throughout the country. In some particular years, droughts
reduced 20-30% of the food productivity, thus severely threatening people’s
livelihoods and daily life. Drought control is difficult due to water shortage
and depleted upstream reservoirs. Prolonged droughts result in desertification
risks in several regions, especially the South Central, sandy coastal areas and
slope lands in the highlands and mountain areas.
e) Salinity intrusion
The coastline of Vietnam is 3,260 km long with many river estuaries,
therefore salinity intrusion is found along the entire coastline at different
rates. Three zones at higher risks of salinity intrusion are the South West
coastal provinces, Central coastal provinces and the downstream part of the
Dong Nai River. The South West coastal region is the most severely affected by
salinity intrusion with 1.77 million ha of salinity land, accounting for 45% of
the total area. Salinity intrusion prevention and fresh water reservation in
this area are usually very costly.
g) Whirlwind and cyclone
Whirlwind is a phenomenon of accidental strong wind within a narrow extent
generated by extremely strong developing thunderclouds. A whirlwind may have
sudden change of direction, and the wind velocity is from Grade 8 or more.
Accompanying whirlwinds are usually showers, or even hails in some cases.
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Both whirlwind and cyclone are violent types of natural disaster. They
happen suddenly and are not yet forecasted, therefore they cause vast and
unpredictable consequences but that of cyclone is considerably more serious.
Whirlwinds are often accompanied by strong winds that pull down trees and
houses, destroy communication and power systems, as well as sink small boats
and ships … Cyclones, due to stronger winds, high velocity and frequent
directional changes, often cause violent damages. Whirlwinds and cyclones are
common phenomena in Vietnam, and their frequency has increased in recent years.
h). Landslide and erosion
Landslide is a common type of disasters in Vietnam, consisting of river
bank erosion, coastline erosion, and landslides on mountain slopes, land
subsidence, etc. Landslides are usually caused by external factors (water),
internal factors (geological changes) and human activities (unplanned mineral
exploitation or construction), etc.
River bank erosion is very common throughout the country. It causes
remarkable losses of residential and cultivated land area and destroys many
villages along riverbanks.
Coastline erosion happens due to waves, tides, seawater rise and sea
currents. Coastline erosion has led to sea intrusion, causing lost land and
destroyed environment, etc.
Landslides in hill and mountain slopes are usually caused by heavily
concentrated rains combining with weak geological structure and human impacts
like mountain destruction for roads, forest destruction, etc. Landslides often
come with mud floods and cause serious damage to the human life and assets.
i). Earthquake and tsunami
Earthquake is the phenomenon of ground surface vibration, caused by the
sudden movements of geological blocks in the earth’s womb, volcanic eruptions,
landslides, cave collapses, etc. Earthquakes have happened in Vietnam though in
a limited strength.
Tsunami is the phenomenon of long circle ocean waves at a high-propagated
speed. When reaching the coastline, depending on the depth of the sea and the
topography of the coastal area, these waves can be tens of meters high and
travel deeply into the land, causing vast catastrophes. Tsunami is the result
of earthquakes in the ocean bed. Though tsunami has not yet happened in
Vietnam, many coastal areas of Vietnam may be affected by tsunami due to
earthquake potentials in some neighboring countries.
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Sea surge is the phenomenon of annual average of sea level in recent years
higher than the multi-year average of sea level, resulted from the effects of
global climate change.
4. Consequences of natural disasters to socio-economic development
a) Socio-economic consequences
Natural disaster in Vietnam is the direct impediment to the economic
development, sustainable development and poverty reduction; the huge obstacle
to the process of striving for the Millennium Development Goals.. Vietnam has
more than 80% of its population living at risk of direct impacts of natural
disasters.
Natural disaster has taken away many achievements of the national socio-
economic development. In the last 5 years (2002-2006), natural disaster has
killed 1,700 people and caused losses of estimated VND75,000 billion of assess.
Natural disaster intensifies the division in residents’ living standard;
hinders and lowers the hunger eradication and poverty alleviation, especially
in areas frequently at risk of disaster. On average, millions of people are in
need of assistance due to natural disasters every year. Many of them, who have
just escaped from poverty, are re- impoverished due to the disasters.
Natural disaster affects educational development, destroys educational
infrastructure and interrupts school time, especially in mountainous areas and
the Mekong River Delta.
Natural disaster also causes negative impacts on vulnerable groups such as
the old, the disabled, women, and children.
b) Environmental consequences
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- Consequences of natural disaster result in water pollution, disease
generation.
c) Consequences of natural disasters to national defence and public
security
- Destroy constructions for defence and security
- Reduce the national reserve
- Cause social instability
- Cause chaotic in social security and order
II. NATURAL DISASTER PREVENTION, RESPONSE AND MITIGATION IN VIETNAM
Throughout the course of development, natural disaster prevention,
response and mitigation in Vietnam have always been considered as a struggle
for life and closely linked with the founding and defence of the country.
Disaster prevention, respond and mitigation in Vietnam have made great progress
throughout the history.
1. Course of development
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Dyke constructions for flood prevention were implemented many centuries
ago.
By 1248, the Red river dyke system had formed. At present, the system of
river and sea dykes of the nation is thousands of kilometres long.
No sooner had the Democratic Republic of Vietnam been established than
President Ho Chi Minh signed Order No. 70/SL on 22 May 1946 to establish a
Central Committee for Dyke Maintenance, the predecessor of the current Central
Committee for Flood and Storm Control.
During the period of 1945-1954, Vietnamese people had both to fight
against invaders and to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. Northern
provinces built nearly 7 million m3 of dykes to strengthen critical dyke sections.
During the period of 1955-1975, flood and storm control got new further
development step with the establishment of the Ministry of Water Resources, the
promulgation of the Regulation on Dyke Protection and many other directives and
resolutions in order to improve the capacity of flood and storm control... In
this period, Northern provinces built millions of cubic meters of dykes,
hundred thousands of cubic meters of stone embankments; built flood retarding
zones, renovated flood diversion systems, and planted trees for wave
resistance.... During this period, the North suffered many heavy floods that
broke dykes in some areas. However, production and social stability were soon
restored thanks to prompt recovery activities.
During the period of 1976-present, flood and storm prevention and response
have been regarded as one of the particular important measures for
socio-economic development. The State has promulgated these following legal
documents: the Ordinance on Dykes (1989) and Ordinance on Flood and Storm
Control (1993), amendments to these two ordinances (2000), the Strategy for
Water Disasters (1994), the Law on Dykes (2006) and decrees to guide the
implementation of these laws and ordinances. Policies on natural disaster
prevention, response and mitigation have been promulgated such as policies for
the ‘living with floods’ areas (Mekong River Delta), flood diversion and
retarding areas (Northern region) and “avoidance and adaptation” areas (Central
region). Many structural solutions have been carried out such as reservoir
building, dyke upgrading, boat and ship shelter building, etc. Non-structural
solutions have included forest rehabilitation, communication systems
renovation, forecast, warning, international cooperation, community awareness
raising, step-by- step consolidation of organizational mechanism for flood,
storm control and search and rescue...
2. Achievements and limitations
a) Remarkable achievements
- Step-by-step accomplish legal documents; create a legal corridor for
natural disaster prevention, response and mitigation. In recent years, Vietnam
has developed and promulgated relevant legal documents, such as Law on Dyke,
Water Resources Law, Law on Forest Protection and Development, Law on
Environment Protection, Land Law, Law on Natural Resources and Minerals, Law on
Fisheries, etc., Ordinance
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- Step-by-step strengthen the organizational mechanism; enhance the
capacities, equipment and physical infrastructures for the direction of flood
and storm control, natural disaster mitigation as well as search and rescue
activities from the central to local levels.
- Develop and implement socio-economic development programs related to
flood and storm control and natural disaster mitigation such as Plantation of
upstream forests, protective forests, mangrove forests program; reservoirs for
flood drainage and drought resistance program; “living with floods” program,
safety for fishing boats and ships program, dyke reinforcement and renovation
program, etc.
- Research and apply science and technology for flood and storm control as
well as natural disaster prevention, response and mitigation, such as:
+ Research on prevention and control of river bank and coastline erosion;
+ Research on extreme flood preparedness for the Red River Delta;
+ Research on 12 types of natural disasters;
+ Research on the establishment of self-help financial funds;
+ Models of safe-in-disaster houses;
+ Methodology for damage and disaster relief assessment;
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+ Research on flash flood prevention planning;
+ Apply new technologies to disaster forecast, warning and management;
+ Apply new materials and technologies to construction of several disaster
prevention and mitigation structures.
- International cooperation
+ Participate in international and regional organizations for natural
disaster mitigation, for example Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), Asian
Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management
(ACDM), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Typhoon Committee (TC),
Natural Disaster Mitigation Partnership (NDM-P), International Strategy for
Disaster Reduction (ISDR), etc.
+Cooperate with international organizations, nations and non-government
organizations in disaster mitigation such as UNDP, UNESCAP, WB, ADB, etc.,
- Search and Rescue: Establish the National Committee for Search and
Rescue, strengthen the organization mechanism from central to local levels;
enhance facilities and equipment for search and rescue activities; develop a
master plan for search and rescue up to 2015.
- Relief and recovery activities: The State annually allocates a certain
proportion of budget and reserves some essential commodities for emergency
relief and prompt damage recovery. When disasters occur, political and social
organizations such as the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Trade Union, Youth and
Women Associations, etc. have taken the initiative to organize donation
activities, supporting affected areas for quick stability. Relief and recovery
efforts have also come from on-site sources, taking advantage of the mutual
support tradition.
- Training, propagandizing and awareness raising: Thanks to the mass
media, activities of training, propagandizing and awareness raising have been
improved. Training in communities have been provided at grass-root level as
well as to officers related to disaster mitigation in ministries, sectors and
localities. As a result, the awareness of authorities and the residents have
increased. Poor families in coastal areas have been supplied with equipment to
be able to obtain information and prepare for natural disasters proactively.
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+ Every year, the government has given preference and gradually increased
budget for natural disaster prevention, response and mitigation; given prior
investment in specific programs and projects: The forest plantation programs,
dyke upgrade programs, reservoir programs, landslide prevention programs,
“living with floods” program, safety for boats and ships program.
+ Provinces have mobilized the on-site resources, taken advantage of the
contributions of the people, social and political organizations, and
international organizations in natural disaster prevention and damage recovery.
+ Annual Official Development Assistance (ODA) has been supplemented
b) Limitations
In recent years, we have made considerable efforts; physical and technical
infrastructures for disaster preparedness have been improved; the leadership
and coordination in response to natural disasters from central to local levels
have made substantial progress. However, with regards to the consequences of
natural disasters and the socio-economic development goals in the near future,
the following shortcomings and limitations need to be addressed:
- Disaster prevention, response and mitigation activities are passive and
mainly focus on addressing specific problems;
- The response to disasters is slow due to objective and subjective
reasons;
- Unstable production system, inappropriate production structure;
- Infrastructure is poor and vulnerable to disaster;
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- Emergency relief, damage recovery and rehabilitation are limited,
sometimes disconcerted and lack of cooperation;
- Search and rescue activities are limited due to lack of equipments and
facilities, unprofessional operations and not bringing the combined strengths
of all forces and communities into full play.
c) Reasons
- Awareness
+ Inadequate awareness of natural disasters and sustainable development,
especially the approach of living in harmony with the nature is insufficiently
implemented;
+ Dependent and inactive attitude; disregard of and inexperience in
natural disasters preparedness;
+ Disseminating, training and raising community awareness of disaster
prevention, response and mitigation are infrequent and unsystematic, mostly
implemented throughout the mass media and training programs of natural disaster
preparedness have not been included in school curriculum.
- Planning
+ Lack of synchronous planning and short of coordination among ministries,
sectors and localities. Lack of due attention to the integration of natural
disaster prevention, response and mitigation into local and sector’s
socio-economic development programs;
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+ The encroachment on sea and rivers for construction or setting
construction projects in areas highly prone to floods, flash floods, storms,
sea surge and landslides make structures always at risks, resulting in costly
for protection and maintenance;
+ Development planning has not been linked with environment and landscape
protection and preservation. For example, natural sand dunes on the sea shore,
upstream protective forests and mangrove forests have been destroyed for
aquaculture.
- Policy and mechanism
+ Lack of penalties for failure to obey legal regulations, and the orders
of relevant authorities;
+ Overlaps of functions and duties and lack of clear responsibilities;
+ Lack of policies to encourage disaster-related insurance purchases;
+ Lack of policies to encourage individuals and organizations volunteering
and participating in search, rescue and response activities to natural
disasters.
- Lack of regulations for organizations on the appeal, collection, receipt
and distribution of disaster relief in good and cash.
- Lack of timely adjustment in policies on the mobilization of resources
for disaster prevention and mitigation.
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+ Investment in natural disaster prevention, response and mitigation has
been non- synchronous and not met the requirements and the given situation of
disaster;
+ Investment in the maintenance, management and utilization of existing
structures is not correspondent to the new construction investment;
+ Financial allocation to some critical, approved projects such as
reservoirs, shelters of boats and ships, dyke system, etc. is slow and does not
meet current requirements.
- Direction and management
+The directions and orders in response to natural disasters have not yet
been seriously executed; the implementation is slow; dependence on leaders
still exists;
+The inspectation and direction of four “on-the-spot” principles are not
determinedly;
+There have been wrong directions of economic development without linking
with natural disaster prevention, response and mitigation. For instance,
coastal protective forests were destroyed for aquaculture while watershed
protective forests were cleared for crop productions.
+ The lax management and protection of watershed forests, coastal and
riverside protective forests have led to the degradation of forest coverage in
some areas, restraining the effectiveness of flood, storm and drought control
and causing unexpected dangers;
+ The lax management of sand exploitation on rives and other activities on
river banks have resulted in harmful impacts on flood discharge and caused
erosion;
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+ The quality control in some particular structures was insufficient,
hence, damaged structures even in case of low intensity disaster. Some
structures have even hindered flood discharge or made flood more serious.
+ Management of implementing progress and operation of disbursement’s
procedures are still slow, especially ODA;
+ The management and utilization of resources for disaster recovery are
sometimes lax, lack of transparency or for inappropriate purposes.
3. Tendency of natural disaster changes and challenges
All over the world, natural disasters are forecasted to happen more
regularly in terms of types and frequency, more complex in terms of
developments and more serious in terms of consequences. Global warming, climate
changes, El Nino, La Nina phenomena and increase of typhoon and drought, etc.,
occurring recently in the world and in the region, have caused direct impacts
on the climate and natural disasters in Vietnam.
The territory of Vietnam extends over 15 latitudes with 3,200 km coastline
and locates in the area of humid tropical monsoon, complex topography and dense
river network. These leads to many different sub-climate zones, ecologies and
various types of natural disasters including typhoons, floods, flash floods,
droughts, landslides, etc. Affected directly by the Pacific Ocean typhoon
centre, Vietnam is hit by about 6-7 typhoons and tropical depressions every
year.
Moreover, on the subjective side, the rapid industrialization and
modernization in the country have resulted in comprehensive development, but at
the same time, led to the increase of disaster risks. Because of human’s
activities with an aim at socio- economic development such as not disobeying
natural norms or loosing environmental and natural resource management in
combination with population pressure, it is recognized that there were
inappropriate behaviors such as mountain destruction for roads, encroachment on
sea and rivers, leveling hills and mountains for construction, forest
destruction, etc. These resulted in increased unsafe in case of disaster and
negative impact on the economic development and destroyed environment.
Obviously, natural disasters have been making vast effects on the human’s
life and the sustainable development of the country.