Summary of the Program for Collaboration in Disaster Prevention, Control, and Mitigation in the Education and Training Sector

On August 22nd, in Buon Ma Thuot City, the Directorate of Water Resources Management and Disaster Prevention and Control (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) collaborated with the Department of Infrastructure (Ministry of Education and Training) to organize a conference to summarize the collaborative program on disaster prevention, control, and mitigation in the education and training sector for the period 2018-2023.

Representatives attending the conference.

In recent years, due to the effects of climate change and the negative impacts of economic and social development, disasters worldwide and in the region have become increasingly complex. Many large-scale natural disasters have occurred, with far-reaching impacts that exceed historical records, resulting in significant human and property losses. In Vietnam, various regions across the country have experienced 21 out of 22 types of natural disasters (excluding tsunamis), causing substantial damages to lives, property, infrastructure, and the environment. Over the past 30 years, on average, natural disasters have led to around 300 deaths and disappearances per year, and economic losses of 1.0% to 1.5% of GDP. Natural disasters in Vietnam are occurring more unusually, extremely, and irregularly. Among the most vulnerable to such disasters are children and students.

After 5 years of implementation, the collaborative program on disaster prevention, control, and mitigation in the education and training sector has undertaken many practical and effective activities at both central and local levels. Despite the existence of challenges and difficulties in coordination and specific implementation, the results have shown that knowledge and skills related to disaster prevention, control, and climate change adaptation have been disseminated and made accessible to millions of children, students, teachers, and citizens. This has contributed to the overall objectives of the national disaster prevention work.

Delegate exploring disaster prevention materials and emergency relief food box displayed by ACECOOK Vietnam Joint Stock Company at the conference.

During this period, there have been positive outcomes in raising awareness and understanding about disaster prevention and control in the province. The sense of responsibility for proactive disaster prevention and control among local residents has increased. The disaster prevention and control efforts of the province have witnessed many positive changes, particularly the reduction of human losses caused by disasters on an annual basis. Given the context of climate change, the increasing complexity and unpredictability of natural disasters necessitate communication, dissemination, and education to enhance the community's proactive disaster prevention and control awareness at the local level.

The conference provided an opportunity to evaluate the program's strengths, weaknesses, lessons learned, and to propose specific solutions to enhance the effectiveness of disaster prevention and control efforts in the education and training sector at various levels in the coming period.

Deputy Director of the Directorate of Water Resources Management and Disaster Prevention and Control, Nguyen Van Tien, speaking at the conference.

At the conference, participants focused on exchanging and discussing disaster prevention and control efforts in the education and training sector; prevention of disaster-related water risks for children; communication to raise awareness of disaster prevention for children; assessing strengths and weaknesses, sharing experiences, and effective models from various localities; proposing specific solutions to enhance coordination and disaster prevention and control activities in the education and training sector, with a special emphasis on students in the upcoming period.

In his speech at the conference, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Water Resources Management and Disaster Prevention and Control, Nguyen Van Tien, proposed that in the future, at various levels and sectors, a focus should be placed on enhancing knowledge and skills related to water safety and disaster prevention for children and students during summer holidays and rainy seasons. Integrating certain disaster prevention and control content into the curriculum should also be considered. Additionally, efforts should be intensified to expand and promote activities that raise awareness about disaster prevention and control within schools. Particularly, extracurricular activities and summer programs should incorporate disaster prevention skills training through methods such as posters, games, contests, simulations, outdoor events, with a specific emphasis on high school students, to extend the proactive spirit of disaster prevention and control to parents, families, and society.

Resource: daklak.gov.vn