Saving a fisherman in distress (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – People who need emergency rescue services from any part of the country will be able to phone 112 for help once an emergency communications project, recently approved by the Prime Minister, is completed.
The project’s objective is to build a general emergency communications system to receive requests for help in conformity with international practices.
It also aims to improve the efficiency of search and rescue operations and minimise losses.
The Prime Minister has also issued a directive asking all ministries, sectors and localities to intensify disaster prevention efforts and search and rescue missions.
In the document, the Government leader asked the National Steering Committee on Disaster Prevention and Control and the National Committee for Search and Rescue to help ministries, sectors and localities to build and update plans in response to specific disasters, particularly storms, floods, prolonged drought, landslides and earthquakes.
The National Committee for Search and Rescue has been instructed to prepare equipment, increase the capacity of search and rescue forces, organise more rescue drills and intensify international cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was also asked to keep a close watch on weather developments and alert people of potential disasters.
The PM also requested the Ministry of Transport to upgrade infrastructure, especially in areas prone to flooding.
Local People’s Committees will be responsible for evacuating residents from areas vulnerable to floods and landslides.-VNA
