THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Government News
VN loses up to 1.5% GDP due to natural disasters
VGP - Viet Nam loses from 1%-1.5% of gross domestic product annually due to natural disasters, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep told reporters at the launching ceremony of the first national press award for natural disaster prevention and control in Ha Noi recently.
Natural disasters also cause great human losses with more than 300 dead or missing each year, Hiep added.
Viet Nam is one of the five countries that are most vulnerable to climate change, especially sea level rise and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta.
Recent storms swept through areas where people lack experience, leading to huge property and human losses, Hiep said.
There has been growing risk of natural disasters, which is further exacerbated by high speed of urbanization and overuse of natural resources.
Hiep expressed his belief that one of the key solutions would be enhancing the role of press agencies as well as responsibilities of organizations and individuals in prevention of natural disasters./.
By Huong Giang