Thống nhất quy định ban bố tình trạng khẩn cấp về thiên tai | VTV24

Key Concepts

• Tình trạng khẩn cấp (Emergency Situation): A state declared by competent authorities when a serious disaster is imminent or has occurred, threatening lives, property, national defense, security, or social order.
• Luật tình trạng khẩn cấp (Emergency Law): A proposed law aimed at providing a unified legal framework for commanding, directing, and responding to disasters and emergencies.
• Bốn tại chỗ (Four at the Local Level): A principle for disaster response emphasizing preparedness in terms of human resources, resources, food, medicine, logistics, personnel, and equipment within the affected locality.
• Thiên tai (Natural Disasters): Events such as floods, storms, and landslides.
• Dịch bệnh (Epidemics): Widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases.
• Đối tượng yếu thế (Vulnerable Groups): Individuals such as the elderly, orphans, and ethnic minorities who are more susceptible to the impacts of disasters.

Summary of Discussion on Emergency Situations and the Proposed Emergency Law

1. Current Disasters and Declaration of Emergency Situations

Recent prolonged heavy rains have caused severe landslides in many central and northern regions of Vietnam. In response to these escalating events, two localities, Da Nang and Phu Tho, have declared emergency situations to facilitate timely response and ensure the safety of citizens and essential infrastructure.

• Da Nang: On the afternoon of the broadcast, the Da Nang City People's Committee declared a disaster emergency situation concerning transportation infrastructure. A budget of 10 billion VND has been allocated for landslide mitigation and clearing vital routes. The city has also mandated a review and relocation of residents from high-risk areas.
• Phu Tho: On the same day, the Phu Tho Provincial People's Committee declared an emergency situation due to landslides along the right bank of the Thao River, specifically in Hien Quang and Tam Nong communes. The landslides threaten residential areas and the provincial road DT315. Forces are urgently implementing measures to ensure the safety of the dykes and the lives of residents.

2. Discussion on the Draft Emergency Law in the National Assembly

During a session on October 27th, the National Assembly discussed contentious points within the draft Emergency Law. The necessity of this law is underscored by the complex, unpredictable, and volatile nature of recent natural disasters and epidemics. The law aims to enable proactive, early responses, minimize damage, and ensure the safety of citizens and national interests.

3. Understanding the Concept of "Emergency Situation"

Mr. Pham Van Hoa, a National Assembly delegate from Dong Thap province, provided clarification on the concept of an emergency situation.

• Definition: An emergency situation is a state declared by competent authorities when a serious disaster is imminent or has occurred. This disaster must pose a significant threat to the lives and property of citizens, or seriously endanger national defense, security, or social order. This can apply to a nation, a province, a district within a province, or a region.
• Criteria for Assessment: While not explicitly detailed with specific metrics in the transcript, the definition implies that the severity and scope of the threat to life, property, and security are the primary criteria for declaring an emergency.

4. Key Arguments and Perspectives on Emergency Response

During the National Assembly discussions, Minister of National Defense, General Phan Van Giang, addressed delegates' concerns.

• Nature of Emergencies: General Phan Van Giang emphasized that emergency situations are exceptional and not ordinary occurrences. He acknowledged the need to identify and support vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those with no family support, in times of food and water scarcity. He stated that in the face of disaster, wealth becomes irrelevant, as even the rich can be reduced to poverty.
• Universal Impact and Equitable Aid: General Phan Van Giang asserted that in an emergency, all citizens need to be ensured safety and timely access to relief. This perspective was further elaborated by Mr. Pham Van Hoa, who agreed that disasters impact everyone severely, regardless of wealth, age, gender, or ethnicity. He stressed that social care and relief efforts should be impartial, ensuring that all affected individuals, especially those facing health risks or food shortages, receive support from the state, businesses, and the community to stabilize their lives and protect their health and lives.

5. Preparedness for Vulnerable Regions and the "Four at the Local Level" Principle

The discussion highlighted the particular vulnerability of regions like the northern mountainous areas and the central region to natural disasters.

• Geographic Vulnerability: Vietnam's central region and the northeastern and northwestern mountainous areas, along with border regions in the north, are identified as consistently prone to natural disasters.
• Responsibility for Preparedness: While the central government has a role, local authorities in these vulnerable areas bear a significant responsibility to be prepared for floods, storms, and other natural disasters.
• The "Four at the Local Level" (Bốn tại chỗ) Principle: This framework is crucial for effective local response. It encompasses:
  • Nhân lực (Human Resources): Mobilizing local personnel.
  • Nguồn lực (Resources): Utilizing local materials and assets.
  • Thực phẩm (Food): Ensuring local food supplies.
  • Thuốc men (Medicine): Having local medical supplies.
  • Hậu cần (Logistics): Establishing local logistical support.
  • Con người và phương tiện (Personnel and Equipment): Having readily available people and the necessary equipment for rescue and evacuation.
• Example of Da Nang's Response: The transcript cites Da Nang's response to recent floods as an example of proactive local government action. The need for boats and other transportation to evacuate residents to higher ground was emphasized, along with the necessity of providing food, medicine, and other essential supplies to those displaced.

6. Conclusion and the Importance of the Emergency Law

The discussion concluded by reiterating the urgent need for the Emergency Law.

• Legal Framework: The law will provide a unified legal framework for command, direction, and response during natural disasters and emergencies, especially given the increasingly complex and unpredictable nature of these events.
• Protection of Vulnerable Groups: Crucially, the law will serve as a basis for ensuring that all citizens, particularly vulnerable groups, receive timely protection and support.

The program expressed gratitude to Mr. Pham Van Hoa for his participation and insights.