Quang Nam province, Viet Nam. FAO Viet Nam is spotlighting efforts to ensure Viet Nam is best placed to tackle the intensifying impacts of climate change-induced natural disasters.

As part of the 42nd meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) in Da Nang city from June 12-16, FAO Viet Nam showcased a simulation exercise of anticipatory actions for typhoon-induced flooding in cooperation with the Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA) and Quang Nam People’s Committee.

The event was a key feature of the gathering hosted by Viet Nam, as rotary chair of ACDM in 2023, under the theme “From Response to Anticipatory Action and Resilience: ASEAN Journey towards Global Leadership in Disaster Management”. The half-day event is one of the key steps of the Anticipatory Action Protocol (AAP) development process that FAO and VDDMA are focussed on with six central coast provinces (Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue) under the three-year (2021-2024) project on Increasing capacities and scale for anticipatory action including through social protection systems funded by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO). The AAP aims to reduce the negative impacts of typhoons on food security and the loss of farmers' income due to crop and livestock damage and losses.

The event was held in Quang Nam province’s Binh Hai commune with almost 200 participants from the commune, VDDMA, ministries, ASEAN member countries, development partners, and media. The simulation, led by Binh Hai Communal People’s Committee, comprised of three practical anticipatory actions for typhoon-induced flooding: provision unconditional cash transfers to 60 most vulnerable households in the commune, water tight drums to 40 other most vulnerable households in the commune and an illustration of house strengthening ahead of a typhoon.