Receiving and working with the Japanese delegation were Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Tien Dung and representatives of the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Planning and Investment, Finance, Resources and Environment and Office of the Provincial People's Committee.

At the meeting, representative of JICA briefly informed of flood situation, work of prevention and necessity of the IFMP in Quang Binh; orientation for building IFMP and progress of activities involved in IFMP in Quang Binh.

IFMP is under the framework of the Project for "Building Disaster Resilient Societies in Vietnam (Phase II)", funded by the JICA). The project aims at strengthening the capacity for water-involved disaster resilient societies which is based on system of integrated flood management; improving capcaity for IFM planning and implementation at the central level and in targeted provinces including Nghe An, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh and Thua Thien Hue, of which, Quang Binh had been chosen as the pilot province to formulate its IFMP.

Besides, the goal of IFMP is to orient at sustainable development (balance between demand for development and prevention of flood risks), optimize the benefit from flooded plain (ensure livelihood safety, poverty reduction to define vulnerable positions), minimize losses of the life (base on system of flood forecast and preventive plan for special floods) and environmental protection (ecological system and sanitation services)...

In the recent years, with the assistance of JICA, Quang Binh has conducted the planning on flood management, develop solutions for flood control project and non-project, build handbook for operating water reservoirs and community-based disaster risk management.

Speaking at the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee streessed that despite of being a disaster-prone province, Quang Binh has made efforts in flood control in the past years. However, the province has still met a lot of difficulties, provincial budget has been given priority to ensure water reservoirs and build rescue roads and flood-prone houses for local people.

The JICA-funded Project for "Building Disaster Resilient Societies in Vietnam (Phase II)", including Quang Binh province is a practical activity to improve efficiency of disaster mitigation, he said.

Vice Chairman also hoped that JICA will quickly conduct programs and projects which were approved in IFMP, especially support for building the operation of Phu Ho and Minh Cam water reservoirs.

By Nhu Y
(Source: Quang Binh Portal)