A discussion about how to encourage the active involvement of organisations in developing strategies for Da Nang’s resilience took place in the city on Thursday. 

At the event, the spotlight was on the potential damage to Da Nang’s natural ecosystem, infrastructure and population because the city is very vulnerable to the negative impacts of any natural disasters and climate change.  The dangers were pointed out by experts from the Office of the city’s Steering Committee for Response to Climate Change and Sea Level Rises and the US Institute for Social and Environmental Transition.

The experts also remarked that the city boasts a stable social welfare system, and effective transport, communications and healthcare systems.  However, they stressed the need for the city to build more early warning systems for natural disasters and more wastewater treatment systems, and to upgrade lakes and lagoons.  Special attention should be paid to enhancing the capacity of resilience and response to natural disasters within the local residential community.

Addressing the event, municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Phung Tan Viet proudly said that Da Nang is one of the first 33 cities to be selected to join the US Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities Network.  He also took the opportunity to ask the network’s specialists to assess and conduct actual surveys on the city’s resilience.  The purpose is to develop a strategic vision for the city’s further development in order to prepare for, withstand, and bounce back rapidly from climatic shocks and stresses.