Disaster Policy and Technology Center has been conducting community-based awareness raising and community-based disaster risk management for a number of localities for many years. From the practical implementation, it is necessary to pay attention to disaster risk management in urban areas, especially in the context of complicated types of natural disasters such as storms, heavy rains and storm surges. The impacts on the Central region and the Mekong River Delta in combination with the rapid urbanization process increase the disaster risk in urban areas, especially coastal urban areas and urban low-lying areas. Therefore, raising awareness about community-based disaster risk management in urban areas is necessary.
The meeting included representatives of the Vietnam Red Cross (VNRC), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Helpage International in Vietnam (HAIV), Save the Children in Vietnam ( SC) and Center for Disaster Prevention Policy and Technology (DMPTC).

Representatives of organizations joined the meeting

The meeting discussed an overview of urban contexts and the differences between urban and rural areas; initiatives have been applied; plan for implementation of urban disaster risk management activities. In addition, representatives of organizations also shared their experiences on the methods of identifying and encouraging the participation of important urban partners and the method of disaster risk mapping at city level.

Introduction to urban disaster risk management activities

The meeting acknowledged many comments on strengthening community-based disaster risk management and coordination among agencies, organizations, American Red Cross in Vietnam ( AmRC) and Disaster Prevention Policy and Technology Center (DMPTC) to improve the effectiveness of this work.