Natural Disasters Cause Economic Losses of 1.5% of Vietnam’s GDP Yrly: Report

Natural disasters have caused the economic losses of about 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) per year in Vietnam, state media cited the figures released by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) as saying. According to the scenario of climate change, the average temperature of Vietnam may increase by two-three degrees Celsius while the sea level may rise by 78-100 centimeters by 2100. It will cause flooding risks in more than 10% of the Red River area and northern Quang Ninh province, over 2.5% in central coastal localities, and more than 20% in the southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. The situation can directly affect 9% of the population in the Red River region and Quang Ninh province, nearly 9% of locals in the central coastal region, and about 7% of HCMC residents. Besides, it may impact about 35% of the population and 40.5% of total rice production output in the Mekong Delta region. Agriculture, natural ecosystems, biodiversity, public health, and technical infrastructure, and the poor, ethnic minorities, the elderly, women are most vulnerable to climate change, the MoNRE pointed out. To deal with the issue, the ministry stressed the need of focusing on researching and applying new technological ways in designing and building construction, such as establishing early warning and observation systems in urban centers and concentrated residential areas to minimize the harmful effects of natural disasters. (Sai Gon Giai Phong, SGGP)