The Red Cross Societies of the US, France and Vietnam have reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on launching a project on community-based management of disaster risks in Vietnam’s north-western ethnic minority regions. Under the MoU signed in Hanoi on December 18, the U.S. and French Red Cross Societies and the French Agency for Development will offer the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC) an aid of over EUR1.4 million to carry out the project in 12 communes and villages in Lai Chau and Son La provinces over a period of 42 months. It will improve the capacity of the VRC and relevant authorities in managing risks and coping with natural disasters. Vulnerable communities will be provided with knowledge that enables them to make planning and action plans to minimize risks in target areas. Matthieu Drean, chief representative of the French Red Cross Society in Vietnam, said the project not only enhances the community’s sustainability in response to natural disasters but also improve gender equality in society. (vov.vn Dec 19)
