The Prudence Foundation Equips Communities In Dong Thap Province For Better Disaster Risk Preparedness

The Prudence Foundation and Save the Chilren in cooperation with Dong Thap Department of Education and Training presents the 590 million VNDs’ worth of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)  equipment package (equivalent to $US 26,800) to communities and schools of 2 beneficiary districts: Hong Ngu and Tan Hong. The package includes: 2 inflatable swimming pools, 55 hand-held and lecture loudspeakers, 35 first aid kits, 500 floating school bags, 180 water wings for school children and 150 life vest for community and school beneficiaries.

 The “Disaster Risk Reduction in Vietnam” project, funded by the pan-Asian Prudence Foundation is operated in coordination with local government bodies (such as the Department of Education, provincial and communal Centres for Flood and Storm Control (CFSC), the People’s Committees, etc.) and will focus mainly on raising awareness of disaster risk reduction and the possible negative impacts of climate change. The objective is to strength the capacity of 3,500 vulnerable children and 14,000 community members in disaster risk preparedness through providing equipment and small-scale facilities to reduce disaster risks. The total amount of the project USD197,000

Mr.Jack Howell, CEO of Prudential Vietnam said: “Vietnamese people have an interesting saying: “living with the floods”. This implies that the best way to face disasters is to be well-equipped. By sponsoring this DRR project, Prudential is very happy to continue providing realistic help to the Vietnamese communities. The project is expected to teach children and community members practical methods to survive with, and overcome disasters like tropical floods and storms. As a leading insurer in the country, Prudential not only provides protection from financial loss, but also cares to bring more benefit to local communities.”

 Save the children’s Country Director, Gunnar Andersen, said: “With funding from the Prudence Foundation and good cooperation with local partners, the project is implemented on schedule and the project activities meet quality standards. Besides training  the local residents, especially children, for disaster preparedness and self-protection skills, we provide essential equipment for local schools and communities to build on their capacity to effectively prepare for natural disasters. This will help communities and schools proactively reduce natural disaster risk.”