Japan offers support to Vietnam in establishing natural disaster database

On the morning of April 24, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep met with the former Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam to discuss strengthening cooperation in natural disaster prevention and control, particularly in the development of a database to support these efforts.

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep highlighted the accomplishments in the natural disaster prevention and control sector, emphasizing the fruitful collaboration between Vietnam and Japan under Ambassador Fukada Hiroshi's tenure. He underscored the improved bilateral relations, which serve as a crucial foundation for consolidating Japanese investment projects in Vietnam and fostering new opportunities for agricultural industries in both countries.

Former Ambassador Fukada Hiroshi expressed his agreement and further mentioned his ongoing support for select Japanese businesses seeking to invest and grow in Vietnam, even after concluding his ambassadorial duties. He stressed the significance of establishing a synchronized and precise database to facilitate natural disaster prevention and control efforts while ensuring effective collaboration between Japan and Vietnam.

"Both Japan and Vietnam have experienced significant losses due to historic natural disasters. However, accurate and timely forecasts can substantially mitigate damages. I am confident that providing early information to the public and local authorities will foster appreciation and compliance with necessary instructions to address emergencies," stated the former Ambassador.

With extensive experience working in Vietnam, Mr. Fukada noted a 'lag' in transmitting emergency information from central to local levels. The former Ambassador introduced several high-tech solutions for data and meteorological information management to address this issue.

Weathernews Inc. (WNI), a Japanese company specializing in meteorological forecasting, has received numerous awards and commendations from the Japanese Government for its commitment to the natural disaster prevention and control sector. WNI's representative office has been operational in Vietnam since 2015, actively providing technical assistance, enhancing forecasting capabilities, and broadening the application of weather information in the country.

Former Ambassador Fukada believes that implementing appropriate natural disaster prevention measures and employing WNI's techniques, particularly in the Central region, which is heavily impacted by heavy rains, will contribute significantly to the economic and social development of the area.

Expanding on Mr. Fukada's remarks, WNI's General Director, Chihito Kusabiraki, elaborated on the reasons behind the company's desire to extend its operations in Vietnam. Over the years, WNI has forged collaborative partnerships in Vietnam, working closely with the General Department of Hydrometeorology under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Additionally, the company has engaged in discussions with officials and leaders from the People's Committees of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai provinces, and Da Nang city.

The Director General of WNI emphasized, "It's essential to recognize that effectively managing and mitigating the impacts of natural disasters requires extensive, high-quality datasets. Data scarcity is a challenge; thus, comprehensive data is crucial for both short-term and long-term forecasting, providing necessary information tailored to each ministry, sector, and locality."

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep acknowledged Mr. Kusabiraki's perspective and expanded on the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's need for both short-term and long-term climate forecasts. These forecasts are essential not only for natural disaster prevention and control but also for supporting agricultural production.

The Deputy Minister highlighted the current challenges: "The Central region, Central Highlands, and Southeast of Vietnam are currently experiencing the peak period of the 2023-2024 dry season. The El Niño phenomenon has exacerbated drought and water shortages, impacting agricultural production and livelihoods in these regions. Despite anticipating these challenges, the increasing complexity of climate change has made management increasingly difficult."

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep proposed that WNI explore opportunities for collaboration with the Vietnam Electricity Group and major hydropower companies in Vietnam. These collaborations are crucial within the state apparatus for natural disaster prevention and mitigation, as the water discharge schedules of hydroelectric reservoirs heavily rely on meteorological and hydrological forecasts. Moreover, domestic enterprises possess the necessary resources to operate the high-tech machinery introduced by WNI.

In terms of cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Deputy Minister expressed the expectation for Japanese support in assisting Vietnamese farmers with agricultural production, alongside strengthening natural disaster prevention and control efforts. The Ministry is particularly interested in long-term and seasonal meteorological forecasts for effective management of production areas.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep designated a focal point within the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, as well as the Department of Irrigation, to facilitate further exchange of expertise. Specific requirements will be outlined for WNI to research solutions tailored to meet these needs.