A Memorandum of Understanding on gender-sensitive “Community based disaster risk management” project was signed between the Vietnam Red Cross (VNRC), French Red Cross (FRC) and American Red Cross (ARC) on December 18th, in Hanoi. The project aims to contribute to strengthening the resilience of North-West Vietnamese women, men and youth facing the impacts of natural hazards. With the total budget of EUR1.475 million, this project is co-funded by the French Agency for Development (AFD), ARC and FRC through a financial reserve called the “Ready fund” which supports disaster preparedness measures as well as emergencies responses after natural disasters. The project will be implemented within 42 months in 12 communes and wards of mountainous provinces of Lai Chau and Son La. Speaking at the event about the importance of the project, Mr. Dang Minh Chau, Deputy Secretary General of VNRC affirmed “Vietnam is still of the most hazard-prone countries in Asia-Pacific with typhoons, floods, droughts, sea water intrusion, landslides, forest fires, cold waves and occasional earthquakes occurring every year. Among the country’s regions, the North-West and Central highlands can be considered as ones at the most at risk areas due to their geographical features as well as their limitations in terms of socio-economic development. Therefore, the project will contribute to improving the capacities of the community to become resilient toward disasters.” Mr. Matthieu Drean, Head of FRC delegation in Vietnam emphasized that gender inequalities bring severe limitations to development initiatives all around the world and that why this project has developed a community-based approach that will be gender sensitiveness. By doing so, it is expected to get a greater and more sustainable impact by making sure that voices from men, women and the youth will be listened and will influence equally each activity. (Dangcongsan.vn Dec 16)
