On the morning of May 17, at Bao Thang District Boarding Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee in coordination with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Vietnam and the support of the Japanese Government organized a rally in response to the National Disaster Prevention Week 2025.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep shared that with the theme "Sustainable community - Disaster adaptation", the National Disaster Prevention Week 2025 emphasizes the central role of people in preventing, responding to and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters. A strong community not only reduces risks but is also an important foundation for sustainable development.
According to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hiep, the community is the first place to be affected when natural disasters occur, but also the first force to stand up to respond and recover. When each citizen is clearly aware of the risks, each village has a ready plan and the spirit of mutual love is promoted, the ability to endure will become increasingly solid.
In particular, the role of a continuous bridge between generations of young people, especially students, is very important for the present and the future in the work of preventing, responding to and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters.
According to Ms. Silvia Danailov, Chief Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Vietnam, building a sustainable community and adapting to natural disasters means prioritizing 4 main contents: The disaster risk mitigation system is designed to better protect children; The climate readiness and adaptation plan puts the safety, welfare and voice of children at the center; Strengthening the early warning system to reach all schools, families and children nationwide.
Ms. Silvia Danailov emphasized that local-led adaptation and response plans must be invested in immediately and target vulnerable groups such as women and children.
Also at the ceremony, Mr. Hoang Quoc Khanh, Vice Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee, said that Lao Cai is a mountainous province with complex terrain, often affected by many types of natural disasters. In recent years, the impact of climate change has caused unusual and extreme natural disasters, causing heavy damage to local lives and property, especially storm No. 3.
However, with the attention and direction of authorities at all levels from the central to local levels, the support of international organizations, sponsors and philanthropists across the country, people's lives have soon stabilized.
From that reality, Lao Cai province identifies natural disaster prevention and control as a regular and urgent task, requiring the synchronous participation of the entire political system and society.
With the motto "4 on-site", taking action early and effectively, the province has proactively implemented many comprehensive solutions: From planning, infrastructure investment, improving forecasting capacity, warnings, community communication, to paying special attention to vulnerable groups such as children, students, etc.
