Chu Van Chuong chuongcv.htqt@mard.go.vn IDRC Davos, 30th August, 2012

1. 4th International Disaster and Risk Conference – IDRC Davos 2012
“Making the Connection”
Linking Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR),
Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) &
Ecosystem Management
Practical Experiences from Vietnam
Chu Van Chuong
chuongcv.htqt@mard.go.vn
IDRC Davos, 30th August, 2012

2. 4th International Disaster and Risk Conference – IDRC Davos 2012
Structure
1. Background
2. Institutional framework
3. Case study of Soc Trang
4. The approach
5. Challenges
6. Experience and the way forward

3. 4th International Disaster and Risk Conference – IDRC Davos 2012
I. Background
• 333.000 km2 natural area and 3200km
long coastline.
• One of the most disaster-prone countries
and is one of 5 most vulnerable to climate
change countries.
• Susceptibility to almost every type of
hazards (approx. 6-8 typhoons or tropical
storms , 400 deaths and economic loss
between 1-1.5% of GDP per year)
• If sea level rises by 1m: 39% land area in
Mekong Delta, 11% Red River Delta, 3%
lowland of coastal provinces, including
20% of HCM City will be flooded; 10-
12%population will be affected and
economic losses equal to 10% GDP.

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2. Institutional Framework
Institutional responsibility:
• At provincial and local level: CCA, DRR and environment management is
the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
(MARD)
Institutional establishments:
• National Steering Committee on CC (lead by Prime Minister);
• Central Committee on Flood & Storm Control lead by MARD’s Minister.
Strategies and Plans:
• National strategy for disaster prevention, response & mitigation until 2020
• On-going development of law on disaster risk management
• National Strategy response to CC promulgated in 2011
• CC action plan framework of different line ministries and provinces.
(MARD’s CC action plan available in 2008)

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3. Case study from Soc Trang
The project is testing
innovative approaches to
the integrated
management of the
mangrove forest
ecosystem for improved
Climate Change Adaptation
(CCA) and Disaster Risk
Reduction (DRR).
http://czm-soctrang.org.vn

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Mangroves provide many ecosystem services. For
CCA and DRR the following are particularly relevant:
• Mangroves protect the coast
from erosion (e.g. 1.1 Mio USD
for Mangrove rehabilitation
saved 7.3 Mio USD annually
for dyke maintenance),
flooding and storms.
• 75% of tropical commercial
fish spent part of their lives in
the mangroves; i.e. each ha of
mangrove destroyed is a loss
1.08 tonnes of fish per year

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The Situation in Soc Trang
• The coast is only protected by a
narrow belt of mangroves.
• The protection function of the
mangrove belt is threatened by:
• human impacts
• the impacts of climate
change such as more
intense and frequent storms
(i.e. more erosion), flooding,
saline intrusion and rising
sea levels.

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4. The Project’s Approach
Aim: protect and sustainably use the coastal wetlands
for the benefit of the local population
BUT: Planting alone is of little use! Newly planted
mangroves must also be protected from human impacts,
like destructive fishing or resource collection methods
→ Testing new approaches to mangrove
management and protection (including “Co-
Management”)

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Mangrove rehabilitation
• Mimic natural regeneration through
dense planting close to established
trees
• Mangroves can only be
planted in erosion sites after
barriers have reduced the
erosion and stimulated
sedimentation
• Bamboo wave breakers and
T-shaped fences have been
constructed based on
numeric modeling to minimize
downdrift erosion

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Mangrove rehabilitation
Co-management approach
has resulted in:
• Sustainable use of natural
resources,
• An increase of natural
regeneration,
• Better collaboration between
the local people and local
authorities and
• An increase in income

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Concrete Results
• More than 210 ha of mangrove forest are now under
sustainable management;
• In 2007 average per-capita income was USD 0.9 per day; it
is now USD 2.5.
• As a result of the introduction of woodsaving stoves, the
need for firewood has been reduced by 50 per cent.
• Rights of land use have been granted, protected zones have
been designated and wood extraction has been limited to
dead wood.
• Fishing is now regulated: closed seasons have been
introduced and only specific fishing methods are permitted.
• Replication of the approach by other provinces and up-
scale through additional funding

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Lessons from the case study:
Mangrove rehabilitation and management
must be part of an integrated approach to
coastal area management
Co-management is an effective way of
maintaining and enhancing the protection
function of the mangrove forest belt and at the
same time providing livelihood for local
communities

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5. Challenges
Central level:
• Diversion view on CC (long-term vision) and DRR (short and
medium term) and resources allocation among Gov.
Agencies;
• Lack of capacity and coordination
Project level:
• Inconsistent database
• Insufficient resources (facilities, technology, human &
financial resources, etc.)
• Resistance to change – it takes time to convince people to
accept new forms of mangrove management, particularly if
they are participatory and part of an integrated approach
• Sustainable financing

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6. Experience and Way Forward
Disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and
environmental management are naturally connected
Mangrove re-habitation, conservation is cheap and
effective measure to protect land and see dike from
erosion, storm and salinity invasion and is a natural
ways to link CCA, DRR and protection of eco-systems.
The results of the project will be replicated in other
areas of the country!

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Wetland Forest Dike Road
Inner canal Outer canal
Buffer zone
A typical wetland conservation in the Mekong Delta