To proactively managing, and overcome the consequences of natural disasters in the upcoming time in Vietnam

To proactively managing, and overcome the consequences of natural disasters in the upcoming time in Vietnam (Internet image)

On August 19, 2024, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs of Vietnam issued Official Dispatch 3844/BLDTBXH-CBTXH regarding proactive measures for managing, and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters in the upcoming time.

To proactively manage and overcome the consequences of natural disasters in the upcoming time in Vietnam

Pursuant to Official Telegram 75/CT-TTg dated August 4, 2024, by the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam on proactive disaster prevention, response, and mitigation in the coming period, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs requests the Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to direct the implementation of the following key tasks:

- Strengthen disaster prevention, response, and mitigation efforts based on the principle of “Four On-the-Spot” in line with the characteristics and conditions of their localities.

Continue organizing close monitoring of developments such as heavy rains, storms, tropical depressions, flash floods, landslides, droughts, tornadoes, lightning, floods, saltwater intrusion, heatwaves, hail, and various types of potential natural disasters.

Enhance the effectiveness of public awareness and guidance on disaster prevention and response skills for citizens and disaster management officers to minimize the damage caused by natural disasters.

- Swiftly mitigate the damages caused by natural disasters; promptly visit, motivate, and support the affected families, especially those with deceased, injured, or missing members due to natural disasters as per the regulations in Decree 20/2021/ND-CP dated March 15, 2021, and Decree 76/2024/ND-CP dated July 1, 2024, of the Government of Vietnam on social assistance policies for social protection beneficiaries from local budgets and mobilizing other legal funds. In cases where local resources are insufficient, the provincial and centrally-run cities’ People's Committees should send written requests to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance to propose to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on support.

- Support the stabilization of lives for those affected by natural disasters, ensuring the supply of food, clean water, and essential supplies to the people, especially for households that lost homes due to floods and landslides, poor households, and those at risk of starvation. No individual should be left hungry, homeless, or lack essential items; temporary accommodations should be arranged for households that lost their homes due to rain and floods.

- Regularly compile and report on the damage situation and disaster mitigation support outcomes to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

Rights and obligations of Households and Individuals in Disaster management in Vietnam

- Households and individuals have the following rights:

+ Access information on disaster prevention issued by competent authorities;

+ Participate in developing local disaster prevention and response plans;

+ Join disaster prevention information, communication, and education programs; enhance disaster prevention knowledge suitable to specific conditions;

+ Be reimbursed for materials, equipment; receive labor remuneration when participating in community emergency disaster response under the mobilization order from competent authorities;

+ Participants in disaster response, if injured or dead, are considered for benefits similar to war invalids and martyrs as per the laws on preferential treatment for persons with meritorious services to the revolution;

+ Receive rescue and support when impacted by natural disasters under legal regulations.

- Households and individuals have the following obligations:

+ Proactively build, upgrade, and protect structures and houses owned to ensure safety from natural disasters or relocate to safe locations; avoid building houses or residing in high-risk disaster areas;

+ Implement local disaster prevention and response plans;

+ Organize production and business in line with local disaster characteristics;

+ Equip themselves with necessary devices to receive forecast and warning bulletins and disaster prevention directives and guidance;

+ Prepare materials and equipment as capable for disaster prevention;

+ Store food, drinking water, materials, water treatment devices, medicines, and disease prevention drugs as capable to ensure survival during disasters according to local disaster characteristics;

+ Owners of vessels operating at sea or on rivers must have adequate life jackets, communication devices, and appropriate signals; must promptly, accurately supply information on the location and status of operating vessels to local authorities and relevant agencies during disasters; must promptly rescue other vessels in distress, if beyond their capabilities, must notify search and rescue agencies by all means;

+ Proactively respond to mitigate impacts ensuring safety for themselves and their families during disasters; participate in community disaster prevention activities;

+ Follow the guidance, direction, and command from authorized agencies and individuals on evacuating people and equipment out of or avoiding entering dangerous areas;

+ Comply with decisions on mobilizing human resources, materials, vehicles, equipment, and essential supplies to serve emergency response activities from competent authorities;

+ Proactively clean the environment and prevent epidemics in living and working areas post-disaster impacts;

+ Notify agencies and competent individuals when detecting incidents or unsafe behavior affecting disaster prevention structures and participate in handling incidents within their capability;

+ Provide information on disaster developments and damage to competent authorities within their knowledge scope;

+ Individuals must contribute to the Disaster Prevention Fund as regulated by the Government of Vietnam; proactively help those affected by disasters in their localities.

(Article 34 Law on Disaster Prevention 2013)

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