Objectives of NDM-Partnership for the Next Phase
Overall Objective

The overall objective of the NDM-Partnership from end 2004 to mid-2007 is to support the achievement of national goals and objectives through a coordinated, strategic, sector-wide approach to natural disaster mitigation in Vietnam.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives are:

1.       Manage and share information, including lessons learned, results achieved and proposals for future, among participating agencies for improved coordination in natural disaster mitigation; and raise awareness and community involvement for effective natural disaster reduction;

2.       Advise Government on policies, strategies and legislation on natural disaster risk management; and

3.       Facilitate the development of institutional capacity for an integrated approach to natural disaster reduction at the central and provincial levels; Facilitate the development and funding of priority disaster mitigation projects.

Strategy of the NDM-Partnership

In the short-time frame of 2.5 years in order to achieve the above objectives, a two-track approach shall be adopted by the Partnership:

-          Help to build the capacity of provinces, following sector-wide approach, to prepare well documented project proposals which will be attractive to donors; and

-          Develop good policy framework and institutional capacity to support the Government and local communities in implementing national and local priorities for disaster mitigation.

The Partnership will help the provinces to build capacity to (i) further identify and develop priority project proposals, (ii) perform pre-feasibility studies and feasibility studies, (iii) secure funding, (iv) obtain Government approval and (v) provide support to implement (if needed).  Through this cooperation, special attention will be given to awareness raising and promote people’s participation in the process as well as ensuring more proactive consultation with provinces.
The first phase of an institutional study has been conducted to identify gaps in current institutional arrangements for disaster risk management in Viet Nam.  Results of this study would be the first policy issue to be discussed and collectively brought up by the Partnership to the Government.  In consequence, the Partnership will use its policy forum to discuss and mobilise resources to help the Government to implement recommendations of the study if adopted as well as to address the gaps in the national capacities. In this regard, closer link with other efforts such as the Public Administration Reform in MARD would be essential for ensuring clearer and more effective responsiveness within MARD, accross departments for different types of natural disasters, and then in MARD’s coordinating role for other disasters, not managed by MARD.
It would also review all policies for disaster mitigation in to identify the gaps in policies, prioritize these policy gaps for the Partnership to address in 2005 and 2006 respectively and discuss and agree upon methodologies and mechanisms to help the Government address these gaps (Through joint research, joint formulation and adjustment of policies, specific Government or donor projects with inputs from all partners, etc).  This would include some emerging issues such as establishment of a Contingency Fund for recovery and rehabilitation, which can be a topic for the Partnership policy group to discuss and support the Government.
The NDM-Partnership will strengthen the links with UNDMT and Disaster Management Working Group and support them in disaster needs assessments and coordination of disaster response activities of the Government, Donors, NGOs, and Provinces.
Information sharing among Government agencies, Donors, NGOs, and Provinces will be continued through publication of quarterly newsletters and updated Partnership website.