The top leader chaired a working session with the Government’s Party Committee and relevant agencies on preventing and combating storms, floods, extreme natural disasters, and climate change until the end of 2026.
He directed that all plans, decisions, and mobilized resources must first and foremost focus on protecting the people, especially the elderly, children, pregnant women, the sick, poor households, single-parent households, and people in dangerous areas. In addition, prevention must be one step ahead, the Party and State leader said.
"Disaster prevention and control must be linked to the growth target and sustainable development. Any locality that underestimates disaster prevention and control puts its growth targets at risk. Discipline, order, and the responsibility of the leaders must be prioritized."
"Natural disasters have objective factors, but the damage is often exacerbated by subjective causes, such as deforestation, encroachment on streams, filling in ponds and lakes, construction within flood drainage corridors, irresponsible operation of infrastructure, delayed warnings, and delayed evacuations. Any place that neglects management must bear responsibility," Mr. Lam said.
General Secretary and President Lam urged ministries, sectors, and localities to immediately update their response scenarios for El Niño, drought, saltwater intrusion, water shortages, and forest fires. He called for vigilance against strong storms, heavy rains, flash floods, landslides, urban flooding, and dam and dike incidents.
