(VOVworld) - A ceremony was held in Hanoi on Tuesday to mark the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction on October 13^th. The Global Climate Risk Index 2015 indicates that Vietnam is among the 10 most affected countries by natural disasters. Since 1970, natural disasters have claimed the lives of 500 Vietnamese annually and caused economic damage worth more than 1.5% of GDP. Vietnam’s report on intended nationally-determined contributions (INDC) to mitigate climate change indicated that losses caused by natural disasters could rise up to 5% of Vietnam’s GDP by 2030. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang said this year’s celebrations focus on the importance of the combination of local and traditional knowledge and experience with scientific solutions to cope with and mitigate natural disasters: "This year’s theme highlights a multi-sector approach suitable to different localities to improve their response to natural disasters for each individual, family, and the whole of society. I hope that the ministries, sectors, localities, relevant agencies, and international organizations improve public awareness.  Much importance is attached to local and traditional knowledge and experiences in building an active and safe society to cope with natural disasters."

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang speaks at the event.