The Da Nang Red Cross Society coordinated with Humane Society International (HIS) to organise a workshop in Da Nang on Friday on integrating protection of companion animals in disaster prevention and control.

The event is in progress. Photo: NDO

The project ‘Actions to respond to natural disasters and catastrophes for companion animals in Viet Nam’, sponsored by HSI and approved by the Da Nang People’s Committee under Decision No. 2334/QD-UBND dated October 25, 2023, aims to raise humane awareness of response actions for companion animals such as dogs and cats.

The project management board has selected 3 communes/wards in Da Nang for project implementation, namely Hoa Nhon and Hoa Bac communes in Hoa Vang District and Thanh Khe Tay Ward in Thanh Khe District as pilot areas for the project.

The pilot localities of the project have recently implemented activities such as surveying and building concentrated evacuation points with areas for companion animals, organizing training courses to improve capacity for Red Cross volunteer teams; coordinating the integration of testing the evacuation area for companion animals at the concentrated evacuation points in disaster prevention and control practices.

At the workshop, delegates were introduced to the document ‘Handbook of instructions for response actions for companion animals in typical natural disasters in Da Nang’ and discussed ideas to supplement and complete this document.

Most delegates at the event said that one of the biggest difficulties in the implementation of the project was raising people's awareness of the necessity and benefits of supporting companion animals in natural disasters. In fact, many people do not fully understand the importance of protecting animals in the context of natural disasters.

At the workshop, delegates also pointed out the causes of difficulties in organising animal evacuation such as the shortage of food, water and care conditions for animals in emergency conditions and facilities to support animals in natural disasters.

HSI works around the globe to promote the human-animal bond, rescue and protect dogs and cats, improve farm animal welfare, protect wildlife, promote animal-free testing and research, respond to natural disasters and confront cruelty to animals in all of its forms.

Reporting by NDO - Translating by A.THU