Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The 11thAsia-Pacific Regional Conference of the International Federation of Red Cross andRed Crescent Societies (AP11), themed “Asia-Pacific:Preparedness for Disasters”, took place in Hanoi on November 21.
Speaking at theevent, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang spoke highly of the initiative tochoose Vietnam as the host of the conference, saying that it provides aplatform to strengthen cooperation between the Government, the Vietnam RedCross Society (VRCS), the International Federation of Red Cross and RedCrescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross, and internationalhumanitarian organisations.
Quang said Vietnam always wishesto contribute actively and effectively to the Red Cross movement as a way ofexpressing gratitude to the international community and friends who have stoodside by side with the country in the cause of national construction anddefence.
He proposed that the Government, international organisations andrelevant parties should prioritise and allocate more resources for humanitarianwork. This proactive approach aims to prevent and respond to disasters, adaptto complex changes, grasp development trends, and improve the effectiveness ofhumanitarian activities in the region.
International humanitarian efforts should focus even more onpreventing and effectively responding to non-traditional security challengessuch as disasters, natural calamities and pandemics, he said.
Theinternational community needs to continue its utmost efforts to preventconflicts and wars, eradicate hunger, reduce poverty, while promoting development,justice, sustainability and inclusiveness, ensuring that no ethnic groupor community is left behind in the progress of human development.
VRCS President Bui Thi Hoaaffirmed that amid the complex developments of crises, naturaldisasters, pandemics and conflicts, the need for cooperation, sharing, andcoordinated action to form the strength of a united global movement is becomingincreasingly crucial, essential and dynamic more than ever.
Delegates at the event stressedthat close cooperation between organisations and countries is crucial inproviding support and dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters. Theysaid strengthening more accurate forecasting of disasters will enhancepreparedness and response capabilities to avoid human casualties and minimise losses./.
