Date & Time:   08:00-11:30, Wednesday, 13 October 2021
Event:            Celebration of International Day For Disaster Risk Reduction 2021 and ASEAN Day For Disaster Management

-  H.E. Le Van Thanh, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control
-  H.E. Le Minh Hoan, Minister of MARD
-  H.E. Nguyen Hoang Hiep, Vice Minister of MARD
-  Representatives from Ministries, provinces, mass organisations, media agencies and development partners,
-  Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my honor to speak today as we celebrate the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, and ASEAN Day for Disaster Management.

First of all, we would like to commend the great efforts of the Government and people in responding to the historical disasters in 2020.

Secondly, as we celebrate the Day, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that risks are now more compounding and interconnected: we are faced with complex challenges posed by global climate change, more intensified extreme natural hazards, and prevalent Covid-19 pandemic.

UNDP approach:

In our Global Strategic Plan, UNDP treats risks as a development issue, which therefore require a holistic & systematic approach to address. This governance of risk focuses on systemic strengthening of resilience in the face of complex and compounded impacts of climate change on top of inherent vulnerabilities to disasters and climate change.

For years, UNDP has collaborated effectively with the National Steering Committee, and the recently established Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority, a specialized disaster management agency which has achieved remarkable results in disaster risk reduction and resilience building.

Therefore, in our work with the ministries and partners, UNDP has undertaken integrated and regional approach to build resilience in Viet Nam:

I would like to highlight some of them:

(1)   In the coastal areas, UNDP is working with MOC and MARD (VNDMA and VNForest) on a $30 mil project to build resilience of coastal communities against floods and storms, through community-based risk assessment and planning, mangrove revitalization, resilient livelihood models and disaster resilient housing for the poor. Notably, our resilient houses helped thousands of poor households withstand the historic floods and storms in 2020. We highly recommend that the Government considers a new housing program replicating this model.

(2)   In the Central Highlands and South-Central Coast, UNDP is working with MARD on another $30 mil project to improve climate resilient agriculture of ethnic poor households against extreme droughts that are increasingly exacerbated by climate change. On Friday, 15 October, together with MARD and MPI and authorities of 5 provinces we will launch this new project.

(3)   Also in the central Highlands, UNDP is working with authorities of 2 provinces on $5 mil project to apply nature-based solutions to help communities conserve forests, prevent erosions and landslides and impacts of climate change, through landscape and forest management.

(4)   At the national level, UNDP promotes an enabling environment to address risks in a systematic approach: we are working with MPI to integrate disaster risk reduction into Socio-Economic Development Planning and investment processes.

(5)   On awareness and capacity building, UNDP, MARD, Ministry of Communications and Information, and the Vietnam Journalism Association to initiate the first national Press Award in 2019-2020, and we are at the second round 2020-2021. UNDP partners with the Hanoi Water Resources University and National University to introduce master training program.      

(6)   In addition, we are working to enhance the role of the private sector. UNDP is partnering with VNDMA and Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) to set up a network for the businesses to contribute in this fight against disasters, climate change and epidemics.

(7)   Finally, as part of UNDP global initiative with the Government of Germany and various global insurance companies, UNDP is working with the Ministry of Finance to develop and introduce disaster insurance products for communities and urban settings.

Deputy Prime Minister, members of the national steering committee, ladies and gentlemen,

2020 and 2021 has been in many ways an unprecedented year. Viet Nam has faced complex disasters including drought, the COVID-19 pandemic, and successive floods and storms.

As we have heard already, storm Kompasu is approaching areas where the storm Lionrock has just impacted communities last week. Thousands of migrant workers are leaving the South for the North through these provinces seeking new livelihoods.

UNDP is committed to continue its successful partnership with the Government of Viet Nam, relevant ministries and stakeholders against these multiple risks to build community resilience contributing to sustainable development of Vietnam.

Thank you. Xin Cam On!