The Da Nang Red Cross Society in collaboration with the Humane Society International (HSI) organisation launched the project themed "Action to respond to natural disasters and disasters for companion animals in Viet Nam" in the city on Monday.

Funded by HIS, the US$70,000 USD project will be carried out within 3 years in 20 wards and communes in 7 districts of the city.

Da Nang is also the first locality in the country to implement the project with specific activities. Accordingly, the focus will be on establishing a process to support, care for and seek relatives for companion animals (dogs and cats) before, during and after natural disasters occur; improving the capacity of local disaster prevention and mitigation teams to protect pets in emergency situations; identifying safe evacuation sites for pets when natural disasters occur; and providing support vehicles and equipment for evacuation sites, and support teams for searching, evacuating and caring of companion animals.

Previously, on January 7, the Executive Board of the project in Da Nang and HSI conducted a field survey in the locality to assess the situation of companion animals and visit evacuation sites in Hoa Nhon Commune, Hoa Vang District and Hoa Khanh Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District.

Reporting by X.DUNG - Translating by M.DUNG