A group of reporters, namely Hua Van Hai and Le Hoang Hiep, from the Da Nang Newspaper won the first national press award for disaster prevention and mitigation 2021 for their work entitled ‘What does Central Viet Nam region do to respond to natural disasters?’.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan (first right) and UNDP Resident Representative Chief in Viet Nam Caitlin Wiesen (first left) presenting the first prize to the group of Hua Van Hai - Le Hoang Hiep reporters from the Da Nang Newspaper. Photo: PV

Notably, the Da Nang Newspaper was honoured with a Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for its outstanding achievements in natural disaster prevention and mitigation work, significantly contributing to minimising damage caused by natural disasters in 2021.

The awards ceremony for the 2^nd National Press Awards for Disaster Prevention and Control took place in Ha Noi on Thursday.

The event was hosted by the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Viet Nam Journalists’ Association, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Themed ‘For a society safe from natural disasters - Proactively adapting to climate change’, the press awards aimed to recognise, commend, and reward episodes, organisations, and individuals making practical contributions towards the dissemination of information and communication on disaster risk management.

The event’s organisers received a total of 918 submissions in the five categories of printed articles, articles from electronic newspapers, television reportages and documentary programmes, radio submissions, and press photos. The press awards attracted 300 journalists, reporters, and collaborators from around 100 media agencies nationwide.

The organisers awarded 4 first, 5 second and 10 third prizes. The authors of 15 consolation prizes, as well as the ‘Most Powerful Story’ and a press agency for the most entries submitted were also honoured at the ceremony.

In addition, two units were presented with companion prizes in recognition of their great contributions to disaster prevention and mitigation work.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hiep, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development cum Head of the awards’ organising committee, said works of the press not only deeply and closely reflected the situation of natural disasters in the country, but also offered many multi-dimensional perspectives on solutions and plans to support the prevention and reduction of risk in each specific situation, thereby contributing to extensive communication and raising the sense of responsibility of the whole community in disaster risk management.

Meanwhile, UNDP Resident Representative Chief in Viet Nam Caitlin Wiesen underlined the significance of media in disaster prevention and mitigation work, helping us quickly adapt to climate change, reduce disaster risks and build a sustainable future and a disaster-safe society in Viet Nam, so that no one was left behind.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan expressed his wish that journalists would continue to reflect many hidden corners of life for policy makers, and national and local leaders, to ask for their joint efforts in disaster risk reduction.

On the occasion, Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development were given out to 36 collectives, including the Da Nang Newspaper, and 66 individuals, in recognition of their outstanding achievements in natural disaster prevention and mitigation, significantly contributing to minimising damage caused by natural disasters in 2021.

First-prize winners were honoured at the awards ceremony in Ha Noi.

Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development were presented to 36 collectives, including the Da Nang Newspaper, and 66 individuals, in recognition of their outstanding achievements in natural disaster prevention and mitigation in 2021.

Leader of the Da Nang Newspaper (first right) receiving a Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in recognition of its outstanding achievements in natural disaster prevention and mitigation, contributing to minimising damage caused by natural disasters in 2021. Photo: PV

Reporting by NAM TRAN - Translating by M.DUNG