Viet Nam Red Cross Paul van der Laan Representative The Netherlands Red Cross in Vietnam 29 October 2008 The Humanitarian Consequences of Climate Change

Climate Change impact on Vietnam is very clearly recognized  Typhoons, storms are more severe, more uncertain, less local knowledgeable  Drought: more fierce, desertification increasingly in some region  Flood: increasing in intensity, severity, types. Flash flood and landslide become dangers  Many human lost and damages of property, livelihood, environmental pollutions, epidemics Picture: VNexpress

The need for CC Adaptation (1) The Red Cross is concerned about the humanitarian impacts of CC. Often the people hardest hit by these effects of CC will be the world’s most vulnerable, the elderly, the sick and the poorest people in the poorest countries. Not only strengthen capacity to respond to disasters but also invest in disaster risk reduction, making communities stronger and more resilient in the first place.

The need for CC Adaptation (2) Even if we are going to reduce the emission of GHG with a large percentage than still it will first get worse before it is getting better, because of the existence of the greenhouse gasses that are already in the atmosphere. Coming up with policies and funding mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gases is essential but not sufficient. We must adapt to CC right now.

Red Cross and Climate Change The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is seen as a Disaster Response organization, which is supporting vulnerable people especially in times of disasters. Red Cross workers and volunteers around the world are experiencing CC in their daily work. The RC/RC Movement focuses on CC Adaptation Public Awareness, early warning systems, typhoon resistant housing, planting trees against storm surges and landslides, evacuation plans are some examples. Community based: communes must be more resilient in the first place

Strengthening Vietnamese capacities to adapt and respond to natural disasters that are enhanced by climate change, in order to reduce its negative effects on the most vulnerable people of Vietnam Approach: Community based People-centered Partnership, bringing scientists, practitioners and communities together Strategy:  Advocacy Awareness Action All Projects have the same Objective

Activities components To advocate for ADAPTATION perspective of climate change, in order to integrate climate change into national and local action plans of disaster preparedness, environment, health care etc. (Remark: in early 2000s, this was very new) and promoting image and role of Red Cross in scientific community, disasters preparedness community, schools. - Message: Climate change is also a humanitarian issue. - National Seminar, Workshops, meetings, discussion (with relevant authorities, local government, DM organizations to facilitate dialogues, presentation, lobbying on climate change issues - Developing background document, materials and other publications on Climate change and disaster preparedness, community participation - Cooperating and coordinating with other organization to participate and contribute to international climate change events. 1. Advocacy

Advocacy: Workshop and Publications

To raise public awareness, especially for those who are living in disaster prone area, on climate change and its relationship to disaster preparedness in order to enhance their activeness for preparedness. - Message: “Climate change makes hazards more severe, more frequent and unpredictable. We must better prepare” - Organizing training for disaster prone communes - Broadcasting via loudspeakers and mass media - Developing documentaries and television shows (VTV), and visual arts for training, brochures and flies - Disseminating via village meetings, local organizations meetings - Disseminating in primary schools, to teachers and children 2. Awareness Raising

Action: VCA - Trainings to enhance basic knowledge and skills in community based disaster management for key personnel of communes and villages - Vulnerable Capacity Assessments (VCA), integrated projection/anticipation of climate change impact. Planning for mitigation measures

- Training for search and rescue teams - Providing rescue equipment - Drills for disaster response and Search & Rescue Action: Strengthening Response Mechanisms

Strengthening early warning/loudspeaker system Building safe roads / bridges at high risk areas Action: Early Warning and Dissemination – Safe Roads and Bridges

Planting Trees (casuarinas, Mangroves) Building dam to prevent salinity, extending agricultural production Action: Planting Trees and Building Dams

PROJECTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE RELATED DISASTER PREPAREDNESS (past and on-going) VNRC and NLRC 1. Project “Preparedness for Disasters related to Climate change” From 05/2003 – 03/2006, in 5 provinces, 30 communes, beneficiaries Budget: 315,000 euro, funded by: Dutch government and NLRC. Cooperation: Hydro-metrology Institute (IMH) and CCFSC 2. Project “Reforestration to adapt to climate change” From 03/2006 – 03/2007, in 5 communes of Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province Funded by Rabobank and NLRC. Cooperation: SNV (on Clean Development Mechanism CDM) 3. Project “Community Based Disaster Preparedness” Dipecho 5 From 01/2007 – 05/2008, in 4 provinces Hue, Quang Tri, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, 16 communes, 61,000 beneficiaries. Budget: 344,000 euro, funded by EU via Humanitarian Aid Dipecho, NLRC and SRC Cooperation: DANI 4. Project “Community Based Disaster Preparedness” EuropeAid From 03/2007 – 03/2010, in 2 provinces Ha Tinh and Quang Binh, 16 communes, 45,000 beneficiaries Budget: 445,000 euro, funded by EuropeAid and NLRC. Cooperation: CCFSC, NDM-P

New Project: Enhancing VCA in Vietnam Based on lessons of the past - improve the VCA process - take into account special needs (elderly, disabled, ethnic minorities) - extend analysis further then disasters related intervention – livelihood adaptation etc. - ensure proper analysis and ensure input from grassroots people Enhance VCA in Vietnam - Develop Manual for integrated VCA in Vietnam - Create a base of 60 Facilitators nation-wide - From 09/2008 – 01/ Budget: approx. 310,000 euro, funded by EU via Humanitarian Aid (Dipecho) and NLRC - Cooperation: other NGOs and JANI