Fish caught in the central coastal province of Ninh Thuận. The total area of Việt Nam’s fisheries is set to reach 270,000ha with expected marine production of 750,000 tonnes by 2020. VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Hữu Thành

HẢI PHÒNG The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held a ceremony in the northern port city of Hải Phòng yesterday to launch the first-ever National Week for Natural Disaster Preparedness and Control.

The week was designated by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc to run from May 15-22 each year.

It aimed to encourage authorities, organisations and people to prepare for disasters, Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Đình Dũng, head of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, said at the ceremony.

The official highlighted achievements in preparedness thanks to joint efforts of the entire society over recent years. However, he also pointed out that the domestic disaster forecasting and early warning system was not yet ready to handle the worsening impact of climate change and rising sea levels.

He stressed the need for the society to set forth new visions and strategic orientations, take concerted measures and mobilise social resources to combat natural disasters.

Việt Nam is one of the countries hardest hit by disasters, which leave 300 locals dead and missing each year, costing the country an average of around 1-1.5 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP).

Dũng called for active participation in the campaign from ministries, agencies, localities, political-social organisations, schools and armed forces, focusing on the communication work.

The Deputy PM stressed the importance of perfecting relevant institutions and policies, upgrading river and sea dykes, reservoirs and storm shelters, investing in the early-warning infrastructure and stepping up international co-operation.

He called on international organisations, businesses, the private sector and donors to continue accompanying the Vietnamese Government and people in disaster prevention and control.

According to Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Tùng, with a 125km coastline, Hải Phòng is ravaged by up to three major storms each year. Total losses caused by disasters in the locality over the past five years exceeded VNĐ1 trillion (US$43 million). VNS