Illustrative photo (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Red Cross (VRC) is carrying out a US-funded project on building disaster risk management capacity, as announced in Hanoi on November 23.
Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the programme worth almost 500,000 USD is scheduled to run from October 1, 2015 to March 31, 2017.
The programme will contribute to establishing a standard process of disaster risk management in Vietnam.
It will also utilise a community-based approach to improve relevant knowledge and skills of VRC staff and volunteers, including members of local disaster response teams, community members, school teachers and students.
The VRC plans to provide training on first aid, community vulnerability and capacity assessment, and disaster risk management/climate change adaptation at the national, provincial, and commune levels.
The project is expected to benefit an estimated 20,000 people in Bac Lieu, Hoa Binh, and Quang Tri provinces by helping them be better prepared for natural disasters.
US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius noted the VRC has been in the vanguard of local response to disasters. The USAID’s support is aimed at boosting vulnerable communities’ resilience against disasters.
According to VRC Vice President and General Secretary Doan Van Thai, it was the first time his agency has obtained direct assistance from the USAID.
Since 2000, the USAID through its Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance has provided more than 14 million USD to address emergency response needs and disaster risk management activities in Vietnam.-VNA
