A closing ceremony of activities in celebration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (October 13) was held at Da Nang-based Nguyen Dinh Chieu Junior High School on Saturday.

Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Viet Nam witnessed the signing of a cooperation programme on integrating knowledge on natural disaster prevention, response, and mitigation in the Da Nang education and training sector's educational programmes for the 2024-2029 period. Photo: HOANG HIEP

The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Viet Nam under the support of the Japanese government.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Deputy Director of the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Van Tien emphasised that the theme of this year's International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was “Empowering the next generation for a resilient future”.

The young generation, including children, is one of the groups most affected by natural disasters and climate change due to their physical and psychosocial vulnerability. However, children are also the future generation of the country, playing the role of the most active agents of change.

“Empowering children”, which means creating conditions, providing knowledge and skills and encouraging and creating opportunities for them to contribute ideas, develop creative solutions and participate in community protection activities is one of the practical and meaningful orientations for a natural disaster-free future.

A series of activities in response to the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (October 13) feature many practical and meaningful activities such as training and guiding the organisation of extracurricular activities on the topic of disaster prevention and control in schools; a drawing contest “Perspectives about natural disasters” and extracurricular activities of painting murals “Ready for natural disasters and climate change”; a Golden Bell Competition entitled “Let’s Prevent Natural Disasters and Create a Sustainable Future”. This has spread the orientation of taking children as the centre in activities to raise awareness about disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, as well as creating a useful playground, promoting the movement to learn about disaster prevention and mitigation knowledge for children and communities across the country.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tien acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts and determination of Da Nang in improving capacity on disaster prevention, mitigation, and climate change adaptation for pupils, teachers, and education managers at all levels, gradually building schools safe from natural disasters.

At the same time, he expressed his hope that in the coming time, many localities will synchronously deploy activities to integrate disaster prevention knowledge in schools.

Hopefully, the work of natural disaster prevention and control in 2024 will continue with the spirit of "early action" and "empowering the young generation" to achieve many results, contributing to minimising damage caused by natural disasters", Mr. Nguyen Van Tien expressed.

Winners of the Golden Bell Contest “Let’s prevent natural disasters and build a sustainable future together” were honoured. Photo: HOANG HIEP

Director of the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development cum Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, Search and Rescue and Civil Defence of Da Nang Nguyen Dang Huy affirmed that educational activities on natural disaster prevention and control, and adaptation to climate change in schools were very important.

Extracurricular activities and competitions created a favourable environment for pupils to raise issues and problems, helping schools and disaster prevention advisory agencies to better understand the thoughts and aspirations of pupils - the most vulnerable group, contributing positively to disaster prevention and mitigation work, building a sustainable city.

In the coming time, many extracurricular activities integrating disaster prevention and mitigation content will be widely organised throughout the city, aimed at bringing knowledge about disaster prevention to each pupils to contribute to building Da Nang into a natural disaster safe city.

Also at the event, delegates presented gifts to winners of the golden bell contest “Let’s prevent and combat natural disasters and create a sustainable future”, and the drawing contest “Perspectives about natural disasters”, as well as visited 6 murals “Ready for natural disasters and climate change” made by pupils of Nguyen Dinh Chieu Junior High School.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP - Translating by M.DUNG, V.DUNG