Nghe An (VNA) – Child-centred disaster risk reduction is among effectivemeasures to protect children, one of the most vulnerable groups to natural disasters,stated Mizuho Okimoto Kaewtathip, UNICEF Vietnam’s Chief Representative forSocial Policy and Governance Section. Addressingthe Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC)’s 11th SeniorDisaster Management Officials Forum in central Nghe An province, she said thata large number of children, who constitute 28.3 percent of Vietnam’spopulation, live in areas prone to disasters where there are multipledevelopment challenges. Children are the first to be affected by disruption ofservices - lost opportunities in education, nutrition, health care and protectionhave life-long impact, and as a result, inequities are passed onto the nextgeneration, she said. She noted that with the support of the Government of Japanand the UNICEF, Vietnam has achieved key results on child-centred disaster riskreduction as part of the recent emergency response to drought and salt waterintrusion crisis, including the joint Vision and Positioning Note between theMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the UNICEF. Disaster preparedness were also developed, she said,adding that models on school-based disaster risk reduction was established insix provinces such as Ninh Thuan where sector-based child-centred riskreduction initiatives are underway. She emphasized that with the prevailing disparities andinequity among ethnic groups and between regions that exacerbated by intenseeffects of natural disasters, humanitarian response along will not be able tokeep pace in sustaining a consistent progress in child well-being in Vietnam. Highlighting that resilient development lies at theheart of the cooperation in the field, she said that resilient developmentimplies better preparing children, families and communities for shocks, andrecovery quickly. Ultimately, investment in resilient development is keyto growth, development and social cohesion of Vietnam, and achievements ofSustainable Development Goals, said the UNICEF representative. She revealed that building on the Joint Vision andPositioning Note and the emergency response, MARD and UNICEF embarked on thenew joint collaboration programme on child-centred disaster risk reduction. The programme aims to strengthen the capacity ofinstitutions by analyzing the causes of inequities affecting children andexacerbated by natural disasters, reduce child vulnerabilities throughintegrated education, health, nutrition and water sanitation services,improve school safety and implement universal social protection system. Italso seeks to strengthen the capacities of communities, families and childrenby equipping them with knowledge and life skills to prepare and cope withnatural disaster, and promoting youth-driven initiatives using newtechnologies. Declaring that partnership its core of the programme,she called for further cooperation with like-minded countries and partners. Held from September 21-22, the 11th SeniorDisaster Management Officials Forum gives a good chance for APEC economies andinternational organisations to share expertise in disaster management and dealing with new normal disasters, including landslides in coastalareas super storms and tsunami.-VNA