1. Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Vietnam : Gaps between policy and practice Initial Findings for Discussion Nguyen Ngoc Huy, PhD Consultant

2. Introduction Climate change bringing more related risks The Government of Vietnam aware the climate change risks should be taken into consideration for socio-economic development There were many laws, decisions, national programmes related to disaster management and climate change adaptation have been issued and implementing Efforts from local people, NGOs and donors This Vietnam country study is an overview of policy landscape and analysis of gaps and challenges between policy and practice of DRR and CCA of the country

3. Methodology framework

4. List of main DRR policies, legislations reviewed Law on Natural Disaster Preparedness and Response National strategy on disaster prevention, response and mitigation until 2020 Community awareness raising and community- based disaster risk management (CBDRM) Some other relevant law which are indirect to disaster management (dike law, water resource law, etc)

5. List of main CCA policies, legislations reviewed The Central Resolution on proactive response to climate change National Strategy on Climate change The National Target Program on Climate change National Scientific and Technological Programme on Climate change Support Program for Climate change Adaptation Action plan on climate change response of agriculture and rural development sector in the period 2011-2015 and vision to 2050

6. Indicators for review IndicatorContent for assessment RightsEqual share in recovery efforts; access to risk information; right to be consulted; rights specific to women and children; access to health, education and food during and after disasters, etc. InclusiveInvolves hazard prone communities at national, sub-national and local level in: a) consultations before and during policy formulation; b) grievances; c) policy review/impact monitoring. “Multi-stakeholder” – including in the process: (a) those who are excluded by gender, age, ethnicity, etc SpecificityThe policy creates rules, duties, and rights that are clear, unconditional, time bound Institutional Set-up An entity is created or identified to implement, coordinate or enforce the policy at national, sub-national and local levels InformationPolicy refers to vital data (risks, vulnerabilities, and losses) and/or provides how vital data will be acquired in subsequent stages of policy implementation

7. Indicators for review (cont) IndicatorContent for assessment Legal StatusPolicy is “strong” and well-recognised, e.g. a new law, Executive Order, or Memorandum Circular. Policy statusPolicy is prioritized by the political leadership or carries a broad political consensus by the parliament or it is an administrative or executive order. Public Discourse Policy figures prominently in the mainstream (traditional and online) media or in statements by opinion leaders Gender / Food Security / Livelihood The policy talks about these or some of these issues. We then used a basic rating system of High, Medium, and Low to assess the particular policy in relation to the Indicator.

8. Key findings Rights and Genders are low Legal status and Political status are high DRR related policy and National programs

9. Key findings CCA related policies and national programs Rights and Genders are low Legal status and Political status are high

10. Achievements of DRR policies and national programs The National Strategy for Natural Disaster Prevention, Response and Mitigation to 2020 (Strategy 2020) applies a comprehensive multi-risk approach. It is the first policy in which DRR is linked to socio-economic development Basically, this policy is the foundation for the Community base disaster risk reduction program and Disaster law

11. Achievements of DRR policies and national programs The CBDRM gives a high priority to capacity-building at all government levels to enable them to support communities in prevention, mitigation and response activities. The main emphasis is on non-structural activities such as awareness-raising, risk assessment, and development of an early warning system. Related to community involvement is the ‘four on-the-spot’ motto. VCA with great efforts from Red Cross and NGOs NGOs partnership with Gov on implementing CBDRM The Disaster law has became effect from May 2014, and it has the fist follow up decision on establishing the disaster fund (October 2014)

12. Gaps between policy and practice (DRR) Rights of people is included, but it is very general, not specifically address to vulnerability groups. The law is published on the media of Nation widely, but the local people did not know about this, including officers at district level. The local stakeholders are only generally aware of the content of legislation that is relevant for their work or personal situation.

13. Gaps between policy and practice (DRR) Most of the articles in the legislations deal with the functions and responsibilities of different government agencies. But it is still very general and the local level could not use without sub-support documents Overlapping on water management (MONRE, MARD and MoIT) These articles are very relevant for government staff at the national, provincial and district level and to a certain degree for the local government at commune level. People understand the law and policy, but could not implementing proactively Local officers aware of regulations directly affecting them, such as early warning, the role of defence forces in providing assistance for evacuations, and regulations protecting dykes. But the application into SEDP and their life is still limited The law development process has involved many actors for consultations, but very few words mentioned about gender, food security and livelihood. The role of women is not clear description in the law.

14. Gaps between policy and practice (DRR) Financial issues – The CBDRM 1002 Decision identifies an amount of 546 billion VND (about 26 million USD) to be obtained from the state budget for implementing this project until the year 2020. But the state budget is not available from the beginning (depend on International donors and ODA) – Number of target communes is 6,000, thus each commune could have $6,000 for DRR implementation. What to do with this amount of budget? – In principle the legal framework allows the use of 2% to 5% of the local budget for prevention measures, however according to a number of those interviewed, in practice, this budget is used primarily for disaster response or other unforeseen circumstances and is rarely allocated for prevention measures.

15. Gaps between policy and practice (DRR) Gender, livelihood issues – Gender issues have been considered to include in the legislations. But it is still very general and could not help at the local level – Role of women on policy development is still limited – Women has not been involved in DRR activities, EXCEPT some pilot projects/programs implementing by DMC and NGOs – There is one national policy on Agriculture adaptation to climate change, but these is limited of implementation Ms Le Thuan, official of Hai Chau district at a DRR activity in Da Nang in 2014

16. Achievements of CCA policies and national programs NTP: Identified trends and happenings of some climatic factors; Developed, updated and publicized climate change and sea level rise scenarios (2009, 2011) Developed digital altitude of high accuracy for studies, reviews and development of socio-economic development planning; Assessed climate change impacts on sectors and areas; proposed proper adaptation measures and issued ministerial, sectoral and local action plans for climate change adaptation. Enhanced awareness of climate change and response capacities, especially at central level and in pilot provinces under the Programme; 63 provinces and cities have developed action plan for 2010-2015, with the vision to 2020

17. NTP (continued) Piloted some climate change adaptation models in Quang Nam and Ben Tre with supports from Danish Government; completing and putting into use multi-functional houses for storm and flood shelter, revetments and channels for hydraulic and transportation purposes; and salt – fresh water water processing plants, etc., practically benefiting and highly valuated by the people. Constructed 226 automatic rain measuring stations in the Central Region, the Central High land and Mekong river basin, contributing to the gradual completion of disaster warning system in the context of climate change. Some other province/cities have been implanting Climate resilience projects under supports of WB, ADB, GIZ, Rockefeller Foundation, IFAD,… Achievements of CCA policies and national programs

18. National strategy for CCA - Developed and implemented 165 policy actions during 2010 - 2013; - Established policy dialogue in climate change among ministries, sectors, supported by donors, NGOs and businesses; - Established coordination and cooperation mechanism between central and local agencies, between governmental agencies and donors; - Mobilized more than USD 650 millions from donors such as JICA, AfD, WB, Canada, Australia and Korea during 2010 - 2012; (2013-2013 has not been counted) - Developed and issued Guideline for ministries, sectors and local authorities to propose projects; Achievements of CCA policies and national programs

19. Gaps between CCA policies and practices Provincial Climate Action Plans (CAPs) in Vietnam are consistently weak in relationship to implementing recommendations (no follow up actions) if without donor support The next round of updating CAPs as requested by MONRE to every province by April 2004 has already pointed out this weakness and asks for better links between climate planning and provincial SEDPs, There was inconsistent treatment of monitoring issues by local governments in almost programmes (except Quang Nam and Ben Tre and other provinces where have international support and NGOs)

20. Gaps between CCA policies and practices The Climate scenarios are still very general, could not applied for CAPs and mainstreaming into SEDPs The usual practice in Vietnam is that data is closely held by government agencies, and only released in exchange for payment (paying for climate data) Gender issues is mentioned in some legislations of the government but it is not clear how. In the action plan developed by provinces, there were some proposed priority actions focus on capacity building for women (action plan of Can Tho, Hue) but there was no any project is implemented so far Gender issues are only considered to integrated in some projects by NGOs

21. Conclusions Government of Vietnam pay a high attention on DRR and CCA Almost polies and legislations are ranked at high level of political status and legal status. But, still a big gap between policy at the National level and the implementation at lower level (provincial, district and commune level). Gaps between legislations among different sectors (for example the water management issues among ministries) MONRE and MARD work separately because of difference function and mandate. Thus CCA and DRR at policy level is separately.

22. Conclusions These have been a lot of good practices done by NGOs at local level, but it is hard to promote for replication widely and for policy improvement Big gap of policy and implementation because of Finance is depend on ODA and donors Policy on Disaster management and Climate change adaptation are separately. Not really consider of building resilience with livelihood improvement

23. Recommendations Coordination between line ministries needs to be urgently improved, and cooperation with international agencies and NGOs enhanced so that climate change can be addressed in an integrated way with long-term socio-economic and poverty reduction efforts. A National Platform for DRR and CCA, that brings together Viet Nam’s multiple stakeholders to effectively advocate for DRR and CCA at different levels

24. Recommendations Establishing a National Platform for: Cooperation among key ministries and government bodies Gaining support from donors and nationally based UN agencies Increasing integration of DRR and CCA in international development and humanitarian assistance programmes and strategies; Infusing DRR and CCA into national development policies, strategies, legislation or national plans; (for financial mobilization/ effectiveness) HFA achievement Encouraging community participation in DRR through awareness raising and training activities; Involving media, private sector, scientific community in DRR and CCA issues; Strengthening the regional cooperation Gender issues and livelihood could be discussed and integrated Platform for good practices sharing and policy dialogues

25. Thank you for your attention