The second phase of Vietnam’s society resilient against disasters
project was launched on April 23 with the signing of an agreement
between several Vietnamese provinces and the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Under the agreement, the Japanese
side will donate 393 million JPY (approximately 4.17 million USD) to the
second phase which aims to improving water-related disaster prevention
through an integrated flood management (IFM) system. It is due to start
in September and last three years.

Japanese experts will be sent
to Vietnam to help the country transfer technology while Vietnamese
partners will receive training in Japan.

Vietnamese agencies
involved in the project include the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and
authorities from the central provinces of Nghe An, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh
and Thua Thien Hue.

Besides, JICA provide machinery and equipment.

“Japan
has long history and experience of dealing with natural disasters, I
hope this project can utitise that knowledge and contribute to the
reduction of flood risks in the central provinces while increasing the
resilience of society against the dangers,” said JICA Vietnam Chief
Representative Tsuno Motonori.

The first phase of the project was
carried out by JICA from 2009 to 2012. It was successful in its aims,
including the formulation of an Integrated Flood Management Plan in Thua
Thien Hue province and the preparation of guidelines on community based
disaster resilience management.-VNA