Viet Nam is one of the most disaster-prone countries in East Asia, exposed to hazards, such as floods, typhoons, drought, landslides and forest fires. According to the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, between 2010 and 2015 an average of 1.5 million people per year were affected by floods and storms in Viet Nam. A 2007 assessment report of the World Bank lists Viet Nam as one of the five countries in the world most affected by climate change. It estimates that one metre rise in the sea level would partially inundate one commune out of five.
The Viet Nam Red Cross Society, together with other international non-governmental organizations have developed and promoted a community-based approach to disaster preparedness and risk reduction since 2000. The Viet Nam Red Cross Society, in collaboration with the Swiss Red Cross, has implemented a two year community-based project that was completed in October 2015. This project builds upon the existing achievements of the government and the National Society’s experience in implementing the community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRM) model (adopted in 2009). Communes undertook disaster risk analysis, developed risk mitigation options and last but not least, improved their existing disaster preparedness plans.