A chemical warfare exercise in Hà Nội. —VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Tuesday signed a decision issuing the national civil defence plan for 2021-2025, which sets out tasks to prevent and deal with catastrophes.

The plan is intended to enhance State management in civil defence, utilise resources to prevent, forecast and respond to catastrophes, maintain socio-political stability and ensure sustainable development.

The 2021-25 period is forecast to see a resurgence of wars, tsunamis, storms, typhoons, widespread flooding, sea level rises, saline intrusion, environmental pollution, radiation leaks, construction collapse, traffic accidents, widespread forest fires and disease.

Given this, the plan has defined preparations for and response to war as a regular, long-term task.

Meanwhile, the prevention of and response to incidents and natural disasters and the settlement of their consequences is urgent, with the response to natural disasters the central task.

The plan stressed the need to consolidate the monitoring system and build a national database; maintain personnel and facilities to serve the work, organise forces training, as well as hold drills and sport festivals; and step up communication work. — VNS