From response to early action

“I hope in the future we will have the opportunity to participate in more extracurricular activities on disaster risk reduction. We can have fun and improve our skills and knowledge at the same time. I also hope that students will be involved in disaster risk reduction activities, protecting the environment, and spreading the messages to protect people when a disaster occurs."

Le Nguyen Anh Thu, class 9/1, Huynh Thi Luu Secondary School, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province

These are the thoughts of students and teachers who participated in Activities to Celebrate the National Week of Disaster Prevention and Control 2023 in May. It was part of the media campaign "For a safe, clean and green ASEAN for every child” rolled out by the Viet Nam Disaster and Dike Management Authority, the Standing Office of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, in collaboration with UNICEF Viet Nam, Provincial Committee of Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue of Quang Nam province and the Government of Japan.

With the theme "From response to early action" to improve children's knowledge and skills on disaster prevention and control and climate change, the campaign allowed students and teachers to learn by engaging in vibrant, and creative activities. The opening painting contest “In celebration of Viet Nam’s chairmanship of ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management in 2023” resulted in nearly 350 paintings from 10 secondary schools in Hoi An City, Quang Nam province. Each painting presented positive messages about ASEAN community solidarity and cooperation in disaster risk reduction.

Not only for students, the campaign included a training on the organization of extracurricular activities on natural disaster prevention and control in schools for nearly 100 secondary school teachers in charge of the Youth Union in Quang Nam province. The training course disseminated useful extra-curricular activities on natural disaster prevention and control in schools so students improve and practice their knowledge and skills while having fun.

As part of the training course, the ‘Ring the Golden Bell Quiz Game’ Together with children, preventing and mitigating natural disasters - Creating a sustainable future was held at Huynh Thi Luu Secondary School, Hoi An, Quang Nam. Nearly 500 students, including 100 "warriors", participated in a live contest to answer 20 questions about natural disaster prevention and control.

The series of activities closed with the Celebration of the National Week for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control 2023, chaired by Nguyen Hoang Hiep - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Deputy Head of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control. Also present was Ho Quang Buu - Vice Chairman of Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee, Deputy Head of the Provincial Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search Rescue of Quang Nam province, UNICEF Viet Nam Representative Rana Flowers and 500 students from Huynh Thi Luu secondary school.

“In disaster risk management, early action includes minimizing the impacts of disasters on vulnerable groups, including children, and strengthening the capacity to prevent and respond to disaster through access to financial resources for early action”.

Nguyen Hoang Hiep - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Rana Flowers, Representative of UNICEF Viet Nam, said: “We will learn, grow, and create a world where every child is safe, our environment thrives, and ASEAN stands as a shining example of unity and resilience. Remember, your dreams and ideas matter. Your voice can change the world.”

TOGETHER WE TAKE EARLY ACTION

FOR A SAFE, CLEAN AND GREEN ASEAN FOR EVERY CHILD

#foreverychild #earlyaction #UNICEF #VDDMA