Illustrative image. (Source: Vietnam+)
Hanoi (VNA) - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has praised Vietnam's efforts in minimising the impact of natural disasters. The organisation applauded the country for its strong commitments and concrete actions in implementing the Green Revolution since the COP26 conference.
Vietnam's efforts in the Green Revolution and its response to climate change have been highly commended by UNDP Resident Representative Ramla Khalidi. She emphasized that the UNDP will continue to work closely with the Vietnamese government to realize a greener, more sustainable, and resilient Vietnam.
The UNDP Resident Representative said that in 2023, the world experienced numerous catastrophic natural disasters. In recent years, Vietnam has also encountered significant challenges due to various types of extreme weather events throughout the country.
These disasters, including floods, landslides, and droughts, have led to substantial economic losses, estimated at 1-1.5% of the country's GDP annually. They particularly affect vulnerable groups such as the poor, near-poor, ethnic minorities, and those living in areas highly susceptible to these events.
Ramla stressed the importance of recognizing that human activities have altered flow patterns and vegetation cover, contributing to the degradation of soil and rock structures. This increases vulnerability to damage.
With a population nearing 100 million, Vietnam faces mounting pressure from socio-economic activities on the environment, which could contribute to natural disasters.
She mentioned that Vietnam has witnessed a rise in extreme weather events recently, with landslides presenting particularly complex and devastating challenges. Unlike hurricanes and droughts, accurately predicting the location and severity of landslides and flash floods is especially challenging.
Ramla Khalidi - UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam. (Photo: Vietnam+)
The UNDP representative emphasised the crucial role of media outlets, including VietnamPlus, in promoting effective disaster risk reduction in Vietnam.
She noted that globally, the media plays a crucial role in reducing and managing disaster risks through the dissemination of timely, high-quality, and accurate information to the public, and this is also true in Vietnam.
According to Khalidi, since COP26, Vietnam has demonstrated strong commitments and taken specific actions to advance the Green Revolution. Looking ahead, the UNDP will maintain close collaboration with the Vietnamese Government, including at both central and provincial levels, to support the realization of a more sustainable and resilient Vietnam.
UNDP recommends Vietnam to prioritise sustainable livelihood development. (Photo: Vietnam+)
Looking ahead, Vietnam may continue to prioritize the development of sustainable livelihoods, the construction of safe housing, and the establishment of healthcare infrastructure capable of withstanding severe disasters.
She suggested that Vietnam learn from the experiences of other countries to enhance the application of nature-based solutions, such as mangrove reforestation.
In areas prone to landslides and flash floods, Vietnam has implemented risk mapping in the mountainous "hotspots" and relocated residents to safer areas. Additionally, the country has constructed housing and schools for ethnic minority groups.
In addition to government efforts, residents should understand that increasing pressure from human activities such as deforestation, construction, illegal sand mining, road construction, and other activities is causing changes in land surface structures, she said. This leads to increased land instability, thereby exacerbating the risk of landslides, particularly during heavy rainfall./.
