A launch ceremony of a cooperative programme between Da Nang and Facebook on enhancing disaster response and digital capacity took place in the city on Wednesday.

Also at the event, a Facebook representative introduced the participants to the ‘Data for Good’ programme which includes a population density map and a disaster map in Viet Nam. 

Mr Alex Pompe, a Research Manager at Facebook’s Data for Good team, remarked the population density map was created from published or commercial data combined with Facebook’s artificial intelligence, and it was three times more detailed than other maps.

“Meanwhile, the disaster map is able to provide real-time information with humanitarian organisations in order to help them identify urgent problems during natural disasters. These problems include disaster-affected people’s electricity accessibility, evacuation status, and their demand for necessities and services”, he added.

Also, Mr Dang Quang Minh, Acting Director of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation at the Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority, introduced the event attendees to the Authority’s official Facebook page. With more than 15,000 followers, the Facebook page is a useful communication channel between authorities and people about real-time disaster-related issues.

Director of the Viet Nam Public Policy Department at Facebook Nguyen Anh Nguyet highlighted the significance of the cooperative programme between Facebook and Da Nang in further consolidating Facebook's commitment to promoting positive social impacts in Viet Nam through advanced technology, thereby helping Viet Nam reach its goal of becoming a digital country.

The above-mentioned cooperative programme is the first of its kind in Viet Nam between Facebook and local authorities.

Government employees citywide will be trained to use Facebook more efficiently to gather information and work with the public.