THE ROLE OF LOCAL INSTITUTIONS IN REDUCING
VULNERABILITY TO RECURRENT NATURAL DISASTERS
AND IN SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS DEVELOPMENT

CASE STUDY - Vietnam

Funded by
and jointly prepared with the
Rural Institutions and Participation Service
of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

30 November 2003
 

Table of Contents

Submitted by:

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

PO Box 4 Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
Tel. (66) 2516-5900 to 5910, Fax (66) 2524-5350, E-mail: [email protected]

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not imply any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Abbreviations and Acronyms

1. Overview

1.1 Study Area and Location Specific Hazard Profiles

1.1.1 Quang Tri Province
1.1.2 Impact of Natural Disasters in the Lowlands of Central Vietnam
1.1.3 Thua Thien Hue Province
1.1.4 Impact of Natural Disasters in the Highlands of Central Vietnam

1.2 Vulnerability Profile and Strengths and Weaknesses of Existing Coping Strategies
1.3 Institutions for Disaster Risk Management

1.3.1 Government
1.3.2 Mass Organizations
1.3.3 Non-government Organizations

1.4 Disaster Management at Local Level

1.4.1 Preparedness
1.4.2 Response, Relief and Rehabilitation

1.5 Resources for Disaster Management

1.5.1 Financial Resources
1.5.2 Training

2. Local Institutions Response to 1999 Flood Event in Central Vietnam

2.1 November 1999 Flood Event

2.1.1 Synoptic Conditions
2.1.2 Response by Local Institutions
2.1.3 Flood Impacts
2.1.4 Household Coping Strategies and Capacity to Recover
2.1.5 Initiatives by Local Institutions for Rice Production Recovery

3. Role of Local Institutions in Managing Recent Disasters: An Assessment

3.1 Conceptual Framework
3.2 Preparedness
3.3 Response
3.4 Recovery and Development

4. Conclusions and Recommendations

Appendix: Anecdotes

References