Malteser International – Vietnam

PROBLEMS TARGETED

Vietnam is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the Mekong region. People with disabilities are one of most the vulnerable groups of the population for many reasons including the consequences of war (e.g. injuries and agent orange).

PROJECT

A manual on inclusive community-based disaster risk management was created to complement the national project of ‘Awareness Raising and Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRM)’. A pilot project was launched in 47 villages in 6 communes of 3 districts of Quang Nam province.

CURRENT SITUATION & OUTLOOK

The key lessons learnt are as follows:
• Relevant decision makers need to be aware of inclusive disaster risk management
• Strong disability change agent needed in each village
• Capacity building and empowerment of persons with disabilities and care givers prior to CBDRM mainstreaming process
• Consideration of removing barriers to persons with disabilities in CBDRM mainstreaming activities

In the next two years, Malteser International and DPOs will:
• Continue collaborating with National Disaster Management Center to train their master trainers
• Organise awareness-raising workshops for various interministerial government staff and national media staff
• Collaborate with other members in the Disability inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Network to advocate for disability inclusion

In the villages a strong disability change agent is involved in the decision-making process. (Photo: Thuy Phuong/Malteser International