At a meeting held in Hanoi on January 3, committee chairman Cao Duc Phat pointed to lessons drawn from two most destructive typhoons, Xangsane and Durian, saying that a number of localities and people failed to take prompt actions and strictly follow the guidance of the committee, in the face of the approaching typhoons.

To minimise human and property losses in 2007, Mr Phat said it is imperative to raise public awareness of the need to take preventative measures against such natural calamities and to upgrade the storm warning system in order to provide timely and precise forecasts.  

Mr Phat said that the committee will rebuild storm shelters for fishing boats and reinforce the river and sea dyke systems by planting protective forests upstream and in coastal areas.