USAID helps Vietnam’s central localities combat natural disasters

September 29, 2017 | 10:22

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As many as 33 wards and communes in central provinces will be assisted to combat natural disasters under the second phase of a project funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The second phase of the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) project was launched by the Vietnam Red Cross (VRC) and the US Red Cross in Hanoi on September 28, targeting the four central provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Ha Tinh and Quang Tri.

With a budget of more than US$1.5 million, the second phase, to be carried out until September 2018, will help the local communities manage natural disaster risks and adapt to climate change effectively and sustainably while improving essential services and infrastructure for locals. It is expected to benefit about 240,000 people.

VRC Vice President Tran Quoc Hung said this phase will focus on community-based natural disaster prevention by establishing technical support and community groups, providing training in community-based management and assessment of natural disaster risks, and devising natural disaster prevention plans in the targeted localities.

Local authorities will also be assisted to integrate outcomes of reports on community-based natural disaster assessment into annual local socio-economic development plans, and seek resources to materialise these plans.

At the same time, the project will upgrade early warning systems in families and schools, and raise public awareness of natural disaster response.

The first phase of the project, from October 2015 to June 2017, was carried out in 28 wards and communes of the four provinces at a total cost of US$2.5 million, helping improve the capacity to fight natural disasters of local authorities, community and schools through similar activities.

VOV

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