The World Bank (WB) is willing to share knowledge with and further support Vietnam’s competent agencies in improving their capability of responding to natural disasters, the WB’s representatives said at a recent meeting with officials from Vietnam’s Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control. The working session was within the framework of both sides in evaluating experiences and lessons in natural disaster prevention and fighting. At the working session, experts discussed and assessed some international natural disaster prevention operation center models and experiences relevant to policies, mechanisms, and operations of such centers. The WB’s representatives said the centers have proved effective in many countries in preventing and recovering aftermaths of natural disasters. Vice Head of the Vietnamese steering committee Tran Quang Hoai noted that the agency is assigned to build one center each in Hanoi, Danang City, and Ho Chi Minh City. He hoped that the WB will provide financial costs for the construction of such facilities. Mr. Hoai also lauded the WB experts’ initial recommendations and expected the WB to call on organizations and countries to boost cooperation with Vietnam in the field. In 2019, natural disasters killed 132 people, injured 207 others in Vietnam and caused the country a total loss of VND6.2 trillion ($267.24 million). (Kinh Te & Do Thi, Kinh Te Do Thi, dmc)
