Provide disaster response skills in accessible formats such as flyers at markets and village drills.

During my many years as a translator, I have translated hundreds of leaflets for the Vietnamese community in Australia and the US, helping them prepare for unexpected natural disasters.

Mr. Truong Cong Nam waded through the flood to bring rice and food to his daughter's family who were isolated by floodwaters in Hue City on October 28 - Photo: NHAT LINH

Seemingly small instructions such as stocking up on dry food, batteries, a little cash, writing down relatives' phone numbers, or agreeing on a meeting place in case of separation - have helped many Vietnamese families safely overcome storms and floods in the Southern United States, or wildfires in California.

Disaster response guidelines need to be approachable and community-oriented.

Vietnam, one of the countries that often suffers from natural disasters in Southeast Asia, what should we do to make these skills a natural part of people's lives?

In 2025, Vietnam will suffer up to 20 types of natural disasters, from 11 storms in the East Sea to flash floods in the North that killed or left missing more than 200 people, causing tens of thousands of billions of dong in damage.

Behind those numbers is the question: how should coping skills be communicated to each citizen?

Disaster response is not just about listening to announcements from the government, but the ability to receive and apply information in a familiar, easy-to-understand way.

According to instructions on some websites, this skill consists of three stages: pre-preparedness, emergency action, and post-disaster recovery.

However, much of the information seems to remain in administrative form - on the website or the "Disaster Prevention" application. This makes it difficult for rural residents, the elderly or those who do not use smartphones to access.

According to organizations such as the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), community communication through leaflets, radio and social media helps reduce damage by 20-30% in some disaster prevention campaigns.

The documents I have translated in the US, Australia or New Zealand often use extremely simple language: "Do not enter floodwater deeper than 10cm", "If you must enter floodwater, be extremely careful", "Turn off electricity and gas if you can do so safely". It is this concise, specific expression that makes it easy for readers to remember and follow.

In Vietnam, such messages would be more effective if they were conveyed through familiar channels, infographics on Zalo, leaflets at markets, and bulletin boards at cultural houses. Authorities have made many remarkable efforts, such as real-time warning applications or handbooks on battery and clean water storage, etc.

Further spread the spirit of "helping each other"

During the September 2025 flood, thousands of households were evacuated in time thanks to the notification system from the authorities. However, these efforts could have been more widespread if combined with a form of close and community-oriented communication.

Some places have creative ways that Vietnam can refer to.

In Taiwan, for example, people can scan QR codes on buses to get evacuation instructions. In Australia, supermarkets are handing out free handbooks in multiple languages, including Vietnamese, with a list of items to include in a “survival bag.” Information is only meaningful when it reaches people.

From the leaflets of the overseas Vietnamese community, I realized that natural disasters are something no one expects, but preparation can be done gently and naturally.

The Vietnamese people have a spirit of “helping each other out”, so learning to be prepared is not only a survival skill, but also a way to show community spirit. When information is shared in intimate ways, a flyer at the market, a village drill, or a short video by local students, we not only reduce risk but also increase connection.

The government can lead by supporting community media policies; businesses can contribute by sponsoring printing; and each of us can start with small actions: downloading warning apps, chatting with neighbors about safe shelters, or saving the emergency phone numbers of relatives...

Natural disasters can come suddenly, but peace can be prepared from today, with simple habits like the way Vietnamese people have always helped each other through flood and storm season.

Simple information can save lives in natural disasters

I remember the third night after my family arrived in New Zealand, we experienced our first earthquake. We all ran outside in panic. The next day, I read a leaflet in the library and realized that my reaction was completely wrong.

In that situation, I should have covered my head with a pillow or crawled under a sturdy wooden table. That small experience made me realize the power of simple but timely information that can save people in a few short seconds.

Dr. PHAM HOA HIEP

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/huong-dan-ky-nang-ung-pho-thien-tai-bang-hinh-thuc-gan-gui-nhu-to-roi-o-cho-dien-tap-trong-lang-20251028183928146.htm