Launch of disaster risk reduction project for women

The Aid for social protection program foundation Vietnam (AFV), in collaboration with Bread for the World (BfdW) and ActionAid International, recently launched the project "Promoting Women's Role in Disaster Risk Reduction in Tra Vinh City (Tra Vinh Province) and Ke Sach District (Soc Trang Province)."

With over 15.8 billion VND in capital funding from BfdW and ActionAid International, AFV plans to coordinate and implement the project until 2026. Notably, the project will cover six communes across the provinces of Tra Vinh and Soc Trang. These two Mekong Delta provinces frequently experience natural disasters, and they suffer heavily from the impact of climate change, particularly tidal surges, saltwater intrusion, and land erosion.

The project consists of two key components: enhancing women's capacity in disaster risk reduction and supporting local Women's Unions in implementing disaster risk reduction initiatives. Within the project's framework, at least 70% of the participating women will have the opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills in implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Additionally, 30% of the participants will carry out initiatives related to social welfare, livelihoods, and community well-being for women.

By deploying these activities, the project aims to minimize losses and damages caused by natural disasters and climate change, thereby benefiting nearly 13,000 local residents in the targeted regions.

Commenting on the role of women in disaster prevention, Dinh Ngoc Minh, Vice President of the Tra Vinh City Women's Union, emphasized that women, as wives and mothers, are often the primary caregivers in their families and play a crucial role in coping with difficulties during natural disasters. However, their capacity in disaster prevention and response is relatively limited.

"Many women lack access to information, knowledge, and essential skills to proactively respond to disasters. Without regular and systematic disaster training and response drills, people are more likely to forget proper response measures. Additionally, women's participation in community disaster prevention activities is inadequate, which prevents them from fully utilizing their potential and vital role in disaster risk reduction," Minh stated.

As a representative of one of the local Women's Unions participating in the project, Dinh Ngoc Minh expects that training sessions, capacity-building activities, and support policies for women's initiatives will equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills. Consequently, they will enable women to engage in a more active role in disaster prevention and response, helping to minimize risks for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Journalist Ta Viet Anh, Chairman of the AFV Fund Management Council, emphasized that natural disasters and climate change are increasingly affecting vulnerable groups, including women. This challenge calls for timely and effective solutions to strengthen women's role in disaster risk reduction and livelihood development, particularly for disadvantaged women.

"The project Promoting Women's Role in Disaster Risk Reduction in Tra Vinh and Soc Trang builds and expands upon previous initiatives implemented by ActionAid, AFV, and other international donors. We aim to empower women to take a leading role in disaster risk reduction, thereby contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals in the Mekong Delta," Viet Anh stated.

Vietnam ranks second after the Philippines in disaster warning coverage, serving as a model for climate-vulnerable nations

A recent report by Gallup, a leading U.S. analytics and consulting firm, revealed that the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia lead the world in the proportion of households with disaster preparedness plans.

According to Gallup's survey, an average of 35% of people worldwide who have recently experienced disasters received early warnings from their governments. In Southeast Asia, the rate of household disaster preparedness is significantly higher, with the Philippines at 84%, Vietnam at 83%, Cambodia at 82%, and Thailand at 67%.

Gallup’s risk survey data highlighted the crucial role of regional cooperation among Southeast Asian countries in disaster risk reduction. A comprehensive approach—including early warning systems, increased community participation and collaboration, and improved access to disaster preparedness funding—has produced largely effective results. The findings demonstrate that even countries with limited resources can utilize early warning systems and equip households with the necessary skills to respond to disasters efficiently.