Vietnam, Switzerland Discuss Supports in Disaster Prevention

Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan has met with Swiss Ambassador Thomas Gass and a delegation of experts to discuss Switzerland’s support for Vietnam’s recovery following Typhoon Yagi and other disasters.

During the meeting, Minister Hoan emphasized the need for community capacity building to better adapt to climate change and disasters.

He proposed Swiss experts assist Vietnamese communities with training in disaster management and advanced technologies like remote sensing. The Minister also assured that Vietnam would streamline procedures to facilitate faster expert deployment.

In reply, Swiss Ambassador Thomas Gass extended his sympathies for the losses Vietnam suffered from the recent super typhoon and expressed admiration for the Vietnamese government’s recovery efforts.

He also hoped that Switzerland’s aid package of CHF1 million ($1.1 million) could reach the people in need quickly and efficiently.

Mr. Michael Fichter, Head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), highlighted tangible contributions, such as 16 well-cleaning kits, hired excavation teams, and cash aid for 621 households severely affected by the storm in Vietnam. (MARD, Bao Kiem Toan, Dang Cong San, Nong Nghiep)