Five years of great change in natural disaster prevention and control

On August 17, the Disaster Management Authority (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) celebrated the 5th anniversary of its establishment (August 18, 2017 - August 18, 2022) with the theme "Glorious imprints - 5 years of a journey".

“The past five years is not a long journey, especially given the traditional history of natural disaster prevention and control of a country that ‘breaks storms in the morning and counters the firey sun in the afternoon,” Director General of the Disaster Management Authority Tran Quang Hoai said.

And also in that five years Disaster Management Authority has achieved many achievements, especially ignited the will and dedication of the whole disaster prevention system from Central to local levels as well as the society as a whole.

“After five years our great expectations have only been partially fulfilled. Although we have not yet had a professional, large-scale and modern agency like in many countries around the world, we have gradually built up and developed to new heights, achieving results to be proud of," said Mr. Tran Quang Hoai.

The attention toward investment in natural disaster prevention and control has been comprehensively and dramatically changed in all regions of the country. The government has made appropriate investments in localities and secured resources from the state budget reserve for disaster recovery work.

The systems of dyke and disaster prevention and control works in the past 5 years have received an investment of nearly VND 6,000 billion. The investment for these systems is expected to exceed VND 7,300 billion in the 2021 – 2025 medium-term public investment capital. The goal is to gradually erase the weakening key points and better ensure safety in the rainy season.

After 5 years of difficulties and challenges, the Disaster Management Authority has not only well performed the role and responsibility of state management but also successfully completed the tasks of the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and brought into play the role of ministries, sectors and localities to coordinate in timely response to natural disasters.

The Disaster Management Authority has timely and effectively responded to 2,707 natural disasters from 2017 until the present date including 73 storms and tropical depressions, not to mention the historical natural disasters. The unit has established an emergency front which contributes to minimizing losses of life and property for the people.

The Disaster Management Authority has timely provided guidance for frequently-occurred types of natural disasters. The unit also develops scenarios in response to major types of natural disasters and adjusts them to suit the actual development of situations so as to limit losses to the lowest.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep said that the spirit of “captain” Tran Quang Hoai as a steering wheel of a boat embarking on the journey to prevent and counter natural disasters in the past time would inspire not only officials and employees of the Disaster Management Authority but also ignite the will of those participating in the work of disaster prevention and control across the country.

According to leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, considering the workload of the Disaster Management Authority, plus the duty of always being on guard toward storms, floods, and natural disasters, those who do the work of disaster prevention and control only work 8 hours a day won't be able to complete the task. It would take them 18 hours a day to perform all their tasks.

“With the 70-year tradition of Vietnam’s natural disaster prevention and control and 5 years of establishing Disaster Management Authority, people working in disaster prevention and control will continue to be a united collective, unafraid and ready to plunge into rains, floods and storms for the sake of society,” said the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.