Nearly 600 people trained by IOM in multi-hazard disaster response

From 27-30 May, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Viet Nam, in collaboration with the VDDMA under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, organized a series of training sessions and disaster response drills in Cat Tien and Ngo May communes, Gia Lai Province.

Nearly 100 members of commune-level disaster response task forces participated in specialized training courses. In addition, almost 500 civil defence personnel, local emergency responders, and community members took part in field simulation exercises featuring complex disaster scenarios, including storms, floods, and landslides.

The activities were conducted as part of the 2026 National Week for Disaster Prevention and Control, themed “Communities United in Disaster Prevention and Control.” The initiative aims to raise public awareness and encourage the active participation of all sectors of society in disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and risk reduction efforts.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tien, Deputy Director General of the VDDMA, emphasized that strengthening community preparedness and response capacity, particularly among commune-level rapid response teams, plays a critical role in reducing disaster risks. According to him, practical simulation exercises not only help review and refine emergency response plans but also enhance the leadership and coordination capacity of local authorities, improve inter-agency cooperation, and equip community members with essential disaster response skills.

Through the project, 28 sets of specialized first aid, rescue, and emergency response equipment, valued at nearly USD 142,000, were provided to rapid response teams in the four participating provinces to strengthen local response capacity. Members of these teams, including commune-level Civil Defence Steering Committees and core disaster management personnel, also received training on safe house reinforcement before storms and floods, first aid, search and rescue operations, and the use of emergency rescue equipment in crisis situations.

“As the co-lead of the Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFI) sector in Viet Nam and a member of the Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership, IOM remains committed to working alongside the Government of Viet Nam to advance disaster risk reduction priorities and strengthen community resilience. Building the capacity of frontline responders and local communities is a key priority in protecting people from increasingly frequent and severe disaster risks,” said Mitsue Pembroke, Project and Partnership Manager at IOM Viet Nam.

The project is being implemented with USD 1 million in funding from the Government of Japan. In addition to supporting capacity-building activities for 28 local rescue teams, IOM Viet Nam has provided essential non-food relief items to more than 30,000 people in Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa, and Lam Dong, contributing to post-disaster recovery efforts.

Gia Lai was among the provinces most severely affected by natural disasters in 2025. Two major disaster events, Typhoon Kalmaegi and prolonged flooding from 16-20 November, caused extensive inundation across the Kon and Ha Thanh river basins. More than 57,000 homes were flooded, including over 28,000 that were destroyed or severely damaged. Critical infrastructure also suffered widespread damage, with total economic losses estimated at more than USD 442 million.