Natural disasters cause economic losses of over 1.38 billion USD this year
Natural disasters had claimed 15 lives and caused economic losses of more than 3.2 trillion VND (over 1.38 billion USD) this year to May 8, it was reported at a conference on May 19.
Hanoi (VNA) - Natural disasters had claimed 15 lives and caused economiclosses of more than 3.2 trillion VND (over 1.38 billion USD) thi🃏s year to May8, it was reported at a conference on May 19.
Theconference was organised by the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) CentralCommittee to review its performance in natural disaster response in 2019 andlaunch tasks for 2020. VicePresident and General Secretary of the VRCS Central Committee Nguyen Hai Anhtold the conference that since the start of this year the VRCS has provided itschapters nationwide with over 100 billion VND (4.34 million USD) for disasterand disease response, of which 3.08 billion VND has been spent to help 42,000people to cope with natural disasters. Headded that information technology (IT) has been applied in disaster mitigationand response since 2019, initially in forecasting, and the application is to beexpanded even further. Vietnamhas weathered more extreme, irregular, and record-breaking disasters in recentyears, said Deputy Head of the Office of the Central Steering Committee forNatural Disaster Prevention and Control Nguyen Truong Son. Heexplained that for the first time in history, whirlwinds, thunderstorms, andhail storms occurred on the first day of the lunar year in late January and in31 localities afterwards, even in places that had never experienced suchincidents in the past. Droughtand saline intrusion, meanwhile, came a month earlier than the annual averageand hit record levels in the Mekong Delta.
The official stressed that losses can be mitigated through measuresto proactively respond to natural disasters based on worst scenarios.
Fromnow to the end of the year, the VRCS will focus on developing tools for naturaldisaster response, and implement support for communities in the four fields ofclean water, safe housing, livelihoods and health care.
Atthe conference the VRCS signed cooperation agreements with the International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the RedCross and the National Red Cross andRed Crescent Societies in coping with natural disasters and diseases./.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked ministries and localities to keep a close watch on weather developments and take measures to deal with the consequences of downpours, whirlwinds, lightning and hail.
The HCM City administration has ordered the city Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Rescue and local authorities to assess 300 sites that face a high risk of landslides and floods in case of heavy rains and storms.
Vietnam is forecast to suffer the highest temperatures ever recorded in 2020, according to the latest report by the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration.
Recent heavy rain, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and lighting in 10 northern provinces have caused an estimated economic loss of 83.5 billion VND (over 3.6 million USD).
Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, said the World Bank remains committed to working with the Vietnamese government to develop the next phase of climate resilience and transformation for the Mekong Delta.
Under the directive, the PM instructed relevant agencies to regularly inspect, supervise and proactively implement disaster prevention, response and rescue measures in line with their assigned roles and mandates, ensuring readiness, avoiding passivity or delays, and maintaining operational continuity amid ongoing political and administrative restructuring at levels.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
