PREFACE
(translated)
Viet Nam is one of the countries most affected by natural disasters and climate change. Storms and floods are the most frequent and severe natural disasters affecting Viet Nam. Viet Nam is suffering 6 to 7 typhoons every year, on average. Between 1990 and 2010, 74 floods have occurred in the river systems of Viet Nam. Severe drought, saline water intrusion, landslides and other natural disasters are hindering the development of Viet Nam. Extreme disasters are more frequent in recent years, causing more damage to people and impacting significantly on the economy.
The "Viet Nam Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation" (SREX Viet Nam) was produced by the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) and the United Nations Development Programme of the (UNDP), with the participation of the National University of Hanoi; Water Resources University Hanoi; Can Tho University; Hue University; Department of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change; National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting; Non-Governmental Organizations; and local and international experts on disaster risk management and climate change adaptation.
The report assesses extreme events and their impact on the natural environment, social economic development and sustainable development of Viet Nam; the future changes in extreme climate events due to climate change; interactions between climatic, environmental and human factors; and promote adaptation to climate change and management of risks of disaster and extreme events in Viet Nam.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is very pleased to introduce SREX Viet Nam, especially the summary for policy makers, as a basis for guidance to ministries, sectors and localities who are building and implementing effective response plans for good management of disaster risks and climate change adaptation.
Minister
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
[signed]
Nguyễn Minh Quang