Ethnic minority people in the northern provinces of Lai Chau and Son La will learn to prepare for natural disasters in an $1.8 million project launched last week by the Vietnam Red Cross. The project will focus on gender-sensitive disaster risk management and disaster preparedness activities. Participatory planning and actions will help raise the communities' awareness and understanding about minimizing risks. Schools will also learn to be better prepared to respond to disasters. The 42-month project was funded by the French Development Fund, the French Red Cross and the American Red Cross. (Vietnam News Dec 22)
