Dong Thap: Proactively building strong civil defense against natural disasters and climate change

(DTO) Proactiveness, flexibility and methodical leadership and management are clear highlights in the efforts to protect people's lives and property and maintain stable socio -economic development.

PROACTIVE RESPONSE, DAMAGE LIMITATION

In recent years, civil defense, natural disaster prevention and search and rescue work in Dong Thap has received special attention and synchronous direction from Party committees and authorities at all levels. The province has issued a Plan to respond to climate change, natural disaster prevention and search and rescue at the beginning of the year, operating under the motto of "four on-site" (command, forces, means, on-site logistics) and the principle of "three readiness" (proactive prevention, timely response, urgent and effective recovery). These principles have become the backbone of the local disaster response organization.

A tree on Tran Thi Thom Street, My Phong Ward, Dong Thap Province was knocked down by a thunderstorm on the evening of July 21. Photo: Y Phuong

However, weather conditions are becoming increasingly unpredictable. Statistics from the beginning of 2025 to now show that the province has experienced 42 natural disasters and fires, including 20 tornadoes, 3 landslides and 19 fires, causing property damage of more than 30 billion VND. Notably, the impact of storm No. 3 (WIPHA) on July 23 had serious consequences: 305 houses and 3 schools collapsed, had their roofs blown off, injured 20 people, damaged hundreds of fruit trees, and many roads were seriously affected.

Immediately after the disaster, the Provincial People's Committee directed the Provincial Military Command, departments and branches to mobilize over 935 officers, soldiers, militia and people to participate in overcoming the consequences. The province also reviewed and improved the Civil Defense Command according to Decree 200/2025/ND-CP to ensure proactiveness and smooth operation in all situations.

PROACTIVELY DEPLOY SOLUTIONS

Despite good preparation, civil defense and disaster prevention work in Dong Thap still faces many difficulties. Firstly, Decree No. 200/2025/ND-CP guiding the Law on Civil Defense was issued on July 9, 2025 but has not yet taken effect immediately, causing difficulties in perfecting the organization, assigning tasks and developing operating regulations for Command Committees at all levels. The reorganization of the 2-level local government model according to the merger project has caused changes in the functions and tasks between levels in disaster response, requiring more time to stabilize the organization and assign specific tasks.

At the first meeting of the National Civil Defense Steering Committee on July 24, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that in civil defense activities, it is necessary to adhere to the "three must" principle: Defend early, from afar before an incident occurs; respond calmly, clearly, promptly, appropriately, safely and effectively; overcome the situation by joining hands on a basic basis, comprehensively, with all people and all sectors.

In addition, natural disasters are becoming increasingly unusual, with strong intensity and wide scope. Meanwhile, the construction of houses and works encroaching on rivers, canals and ditches is still happening, the need to relocate people from landslide areas is very large, but local resources are still limited in both land and funding.

Funding for natural disaster prevention and response is limited; supplies and equipment are lacking; policies for response forces are low; on-site teams are lacking in number and have not received specialized training, making rescue and response work face many obstacles.

Armed forces help people overcome the consequences of storms and tornadoes. Photo: Y Phuong

Faced with the above reality, the People's Committee of Dong Thap province identified strengthening civil defense capacity as a key task in the coming time, with 4 groups of strategic solutions:

Firstly, the Provincial People's Committee urgently directed the Provincial Military Command to closely coordinate with departments and branches to promptly complete and assign tasks to members of the Civil Defense Command, and develop specific operating regulations in accordance with the Law on Civil Defense and Decree 200/2025/ND-CP. Completing the structure and operating mechanism will create a solid foundation for timely response when incidents occur.

Second, the organization guides localities to perfect their apparatus and specialized agencies to perform civil defense, disaster prevention and search and rescue tasks, ensuring compliance with the current two-level local government organization model.

Third, focus on effectively implementing Resolution 15/NQ-HDND dated July 1, 2024 of the Provincial People's Council on tasks and solutions to address the situation of housing construction and works encroaching on riverbeds, canals and ditches by 2030. This is a strategic task to minimize landslide risks, increase flood escape space, and reduce pressure on the infrastructure system.

Fourth, research, develop and promulgate regulations for the operation of the civil defense fund, and propose policies for the force participating in natural disaster response to improve the motivation and quality of the team. This is the premise for building a strong enough shock force, ready to mobilize and respond quickly.

C. WIN

Source: https://baoapbac.vn/xa-hoi/202507/dong-thap-chu-dong-xay-dung-phong-thu-dan-su-vung-chac-truoc-thien-tai-va-bien-doi-khi-hau-1047535/