Vietnam Seeks European Commission Support in Natural Disaster Prevention

Vietnam expects to receive the European Commission’s support in natural disaster prevention and search and rescue operation, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The MARD will host the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit on natural disaster prevention and combat in response to climate change in Hanoi on Nov 18-19. The ministry highlighted the event’s importance amid the rising frequency and intensity of natural calamities that cause great environmental impacts in Vietnam and other regional countries. The event is part of Vietnam’s initiatives in the field within the ASEM framework. Vietnam is one of the ten countries most vulnerable to natural disasters, particularly tropical storms, floods, landslides and droughts. So far this year, up to 12 typhoons have made landfall in Vietnam, compared to only six as earlier forecast. (chinhphu.vn Nov 4)