On the occasion of 60^th anniversary of Flood, Storm and Calamity Prevention Day (May 22, 1946-May 22, 2006), State President Tran Duc Luong sent a letter to people, cadres and soldiers, wishing them, as well as steering committees for storm and flood control and prevention at all levels and relevant agencies to closely co-ordinate to fulfil the tasks of preventing and controlling storms and floods prevention and mitigating natural disasters successfully.

In the letter, President Luong stated that 2006 is of great significance as it is the first year of implementing the resolutions of the 10^th National Party Congress and socio-economic development plan for the 2006-2010 period. As calamities develop in a complicated manner. President Luong asked branches, sectors, people and soldiers in the whole country to heighten vigilance, gain experiences, and overcome the shortcomings in storm and flood prevention work. He also called for greater efforts to mobilise forces, materials and strengthen forecast work in order to cope with natural disasters in any circumstances. 

A ceremony to mark 60^th anniversary of Flood, Storm and Calamity Prevention Day was also held in Hanoi on Monday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung expressed his deep sympathy for the typhoon Chanchu-hit provinces and called on local and overseas Vietnamese people to heighten the spirit of “Tuong than tuong ai” (Mutual assistance) to help the victims’ families. The Deputy PM asked relevant agencies and localities to learn lessons from the typhoon, especially to improve the country’s calamity forecast capacity. Developing a strategy for socio-economic development should be closely associated with planning flood and storm prevention work. At the same time, it is necessary to disseminate knowledge on calamity prevention among local people who live in areas vulnerable to flash floods and landslides.