Thanh Hoa Celebrates Int’l Disaster Reduction Day

Written by Cao Phan Viet

A total of 400 school children, local people and members of local authorities participated in a meeting to respond to the International Disaster Reduction Day in the northern Thanh Hoa province on October 12.

Under this year’s theme ‘Women and children, the invisible forces of resilience’, the event highlighted the crucial role of women and children in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. The celebration was organised by World Vision-funded Coastal areas of Thanh Hoa province resilient to natural disasters to climate change (CATREND) project and Women Union of Hoang Hoa district.

“We should regard women, young people and children important partners in mitigating the aftermaths of disasters. All people should be fully informed in time about the development of natural disasters and the danger that may threat to their life,” said Nguyen Dinh Tuy, Vice Chairman of People’s Committee in Hoang Hoa district. “Climate change is causing severe weather phenomenons, badly affecting vulnerable communities, especially women and children.”

At the end of the event, 90 girls and teachers marched by bicycle along coastal communities in the district to deliver the messages ‘Recognize the strength of women and girls in reducing disaster risks’, ‘Women and girls make a safe community, and ‘Women and men hand in hand building safer communities.’

During the march, representatives of local women union and World Vision visited and gave presents to poor women, who either live with disabilities or were affected by natural disasters.