Directive No. 04/2007/CT-BXD on the implementation of disaster prevention, mitigation activities in 2007 by units under the Ministry of Construction

DIRECTIVE

ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WORK TO PREVENT AND MITIGATE NATURAL DISASTERS IN 2007 FOR UNITS UNDER THE MINISTRY OF CONSTRUCTION NATURAL DISASTERS IN 2007 FOR UNITS UNDER THE MINISTRY OF CONSTRUCTION 

THE MINISTER OF CONSTRUCTION

Globally, in recent years, natural disasters have occurred more frequently, diversely, and with increasing severity. Annually, on average, over 200 million people worldwide are affected by natural disasters.

In 2006, weather conditions in our country were extremely complex, with natural disasters occurring at higher frequencies and intensities, causing significant damage to property and human lives. According to the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control, the losses caused by natural disasters in that year resulted in 339 deaths, 274 missing persons, and 75,000 houses collapsed, 554,000 houses damaged, 5,500 classrooms, and over 100 medical facilities destroyed or damaged. The total loss amounted to 18,566 billion VND.

In recent years, units under the Ministry of Construction have made considerable efforts in formulating and implementing plans to prevent and mitigate floods, flash floods, landslides, and have proactively carried out and coordinated with local authorities to implement measures to prevent and mitigate natural disasters and address their aftermaths. There have been positive changes in disaster prevention and mitigation work.

However, there are still some shortcomings and limitations in disaster prevention and mitigation work that need to be addressed. Some units have not truly paid sufficient attention or importance to this work. The dissemination of knowledge and implementation measures regarding disaster prevention and mitigation have not been comprehensive enough, resulting in low quality and effectiveness. Disaster prevention and mitigation work remains reactive, focusing mainly on addressing specific situations.

To enhance the effectiveness of disaster prevention and mitigation work, enabling proactive handling of all situations and minimizing losses to the lowest extent possible due to natural disasters, the Minister of Construction requests the Chairmen of the Boards of Directors, General Directors of State-owned Corporations, Heads of Units, and Directors of Companies under the Ministry of Construction to organize the implementation of the following contents:

1. Promptly establish and improve the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control (based on the functions and responsibilities of the Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control).

(based on the functions and tasks of the Flood Control and Storm Prevention Command Board).

2. Proactively develop plans and programs for natural disaster prevention and mitigation for their own units, ensuring the safety of personnel, construction equipment, housing, barracks, factories, warehouses, docks, etc., especially for hydropower projects, transportation infrastructure, residential buildings, urban areas, cement and building materials production plants. At the same time, ensure the safety of residents and technical infrastructure in the areas where they are stationed or working. For units currently stationed or working in areas prone to flash floods and landslides, special attention should be given to developing plans for necessary cases to promptly evacuate personnel and machinery from the affected areas.

3. Closely coordinate with local authorities in disaster prevention and mitigation work, promptly mobilizing forces and means to participate in disaster prevention, search, and rescue operations according to local requirements.

4. When studying and preparing investment projects, pay more attention to the impact of natural disasters during construction and throughout the project's operation.

5. Regularly monitor weather conditions through mass media and follow the guidance of the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control as well as the Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control of the Ministry of Construction. In case of natural disasters, organize command and duty shifts throughout the duration of the disaster's impact. Regularly report to the Ministry of Construction on the situation and development of the disaster's impact on their unit.

6. Organize or send personnel to attend training courses on measures to respond to various types of natural disasters. Widely disseminate knowledge about disaster prevention and mitigation to all cadres and workers within the unit. If conditions permit, organize specialized response forces within the unit.

7. Units with headquarters in areas affected by natural disasters must have plans to promptly supply essential materials to prevent speculation and stabilize prices, contributing to mitigating the aftermath of natural disasters.

8. Entrust the Department of Science and Technology to lead and coordinate with the Departments of Installation and Survey Design, and Research Institutes to continue supplementing and perfecting construction standards to meet the requirements of disaster prevention and mitigation.

9. Entrust the Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control of the Ministry of Construction to direct the compilation of scientific knowledge on disaster prevention and mitigation in the construction sector, particularly concerning housing, and organize the printing and distribution of guidance materials for units and localities.

10. Enterprises and units shall report on the establishment and improvement of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, as well as their plans and programs for disaster prevention and mitigation, to the Ministry of Construction before April 25, 2007.

The Chairmen of the Boards of Directors, General Directors of State-owned Corporations, Heads of Units, and Directors of Companies under the Ministry of Construction are responsible for strictly organizing the implementation of this Directive.

Entrust the Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control of the Ministry of Construction to lead and coordinate with the Department of Planning and Statistics, the Department of Organization and Cadre Management to guide, urge, inspect, and compile reports on the implementation results of the Minister's Directive to the leadership of the Ministry.