In 2025, Vietnam recorded 21 storms and tropical depressions, alongside widespread flooding and heavy rains. Impacted by climate change, natural disasters are becoming more extreme and unpredictable, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep at the rally to launch the program.
"In the face of extreme natural disasters like the ones we are experiencing today, we need community participation to provide broader protection. We have witnessed how much more effective response efforts are when communities support each other," he added.
Deputy Minister Hiep stressed the need to strengthen disaster prevention and control, actively shift towards managing risks and safely adapting to natural disasters. Individuals must be well-informed; families must have the necessary disaster response skills; and communities need to stay connected. These factors together will form a "shield" against natural disasters, Mr. Hiep added.
UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam Ramla Khalidi said at the event that disaster risk mitigation and climate change adaptation are no longer optional, but essential requirements for sustainable development. Young people are the pioneering and driving force for changes and can help build more resilient communities, she added.
An award ceremony was held to honor students who won first and second prizes in the contest "School Ambassadors: Proactive for Disaster Preparedness–Sustainable Future".
The National Week for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control is organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Australian Embassy to Vietnam, and Thai Nguyen provincial People's Committee.
