Natural disasters cost Vietnam 5,200 billion VND in 2021
A total of 5,200 billion VND was lost due to natural disasters in 202, according to the General Department of Disaster Prevention and Control under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
In 2021, Vietnam saw natutal disaster related losses much lower than last year with fatalities falling from over 357 deaths last year to 108 deaths and missing ones, and weather-related economic damage reducing from VND39,945 billion (nearly US$1.8 billion) in 2020 to VND5,200 billion (US$229 million) which is considered as the lowest level of all time.
However, the General Department of Disaster Prevention and Control also admitted the shortcomings and drawbacks of previous works, notably response capacity not being close to actual situation despite the proactive implementation of measures and solutions against natural hazards, promoting international cooperation and application of science and technology.
According to data released by the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, over the past 30 years, natural disasters in Vietnam cause the death or missing of nearly 400 people along with economic losses of about 1-1.5 percent of GDP each year.
Vietnam is one of the countries which are most affected by climate change and often suffer from many types of natural disasters, especially storms, floods, landslides, drought, and saltwater intrusion.
There are still many limitations in preventing and controling disarters related to forecast, warning, resources, equipment, infrastructure, forces, application of science and technology, and post-disaster recovery, he said. The COVID-19 pandemica lso poses a requirement to effectively respond to risks when they occur at the same time with natural disasters.
