Vietnam observes International Day for Disaster Reduction
(VOV) - Vietnam’s Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control on October 13 joined the United Nation International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) in commemorating International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR).
The UN General Assembly in 1989 approved the IDDR as a calendar activity and has adopted specialized areas of focus each year as part of efforts to promote a global culture of disaster reduction – including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.
This year's theme is ‘Knowledge for Life’, with emphasis being placed on disaster risk management and indigenous peoples, which is part of the wider decade-long ‘Step Up’ initiative.
“Given the realities of climate change and the constant threat of weather systems it is important for government at all levels to review risk reduction practices employed in their communities,” said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang in a speech at the event.
UN Resident Coordinator Ms Pratibha Mehta in turn applauded Vietnam’s achievements in coping with natural calamities and raising public awareness about disaster reduction.
In addition, she emphasized the business community and civil society have an important role to play in disaster preparedness and urged businesses and individuals to make a conscious effort toward building disaster resilience by adopting best practices and heeding the government’s recommendations.