JICA Pledges Further Support for Natural Disaster Mitigation in Vietnam

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will grant JPY393 million ($4.17 million) to help Vietnam enhance its capacity to cope with natural disasters in a move to mitigate damages. The funding will be spent on the second phase of an on-going project that aims to improve water-related disaster prevention through integrated flood management systems in the four central provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh and Thua Thien-Hue. Under the project, Japanese experts will come to Vietnam to help transfer technology while Vietnamese counterparts will receive training in Japan. JICA will also provide necessary machinery and equipment for the the project that is expected to start in Sept 2013 and last three years. The project’s first phase in 2009-2012, was carried out by the JICA, focusing on community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) systems and small-scale low cost constructions for riverbank erosion. JICA will work with the MARD, relevant agencies, and local authorities in Thua Thien-Hue, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Binh provinces to finalize the agreements that will allow the project’s second phase to proceed. The project is expected to contribute to the reduction of flood risk in central Vietnam and also be utilized for the resilience of whole society of Vietnam towards flood disaster. (Thoi Bao Kinh Te –Economic Times April 24 p3, Kinh Te & Do Thi –Economy & Urban April 24 p2)