He made this statement during a meeting with the Điện Biên provincial People's Committee on Monday (August 5). He urged the committee to submit a detailed report on the funding required for disaster recovery to the Government for prompt review and resolution.

The meeting was attended by Phạm Đức Toàn, Member of the Provincial Party Committee’s Standing Board and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Giàng Thị Hoa, Member of the Provincial Party Committee’s Standing Board and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council; Lò Văn Tiến, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Vừ A Bằng, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; and leaders from various provincial departments and agencies.

Leaders of the provincial committee provided an overview to the Deputy PM on the progress and significant results achieved in the first half of the year. Since the beginning of the year, Điện Biên has been affected by 26 disaster events, resulting in nine deaths, four missing persons, and 12 injuries.

Additionally, 1,365 houses were damaged; over 1,710 hectares of agricultural land were submerged; 351 cattle and 25.33 hectares of aquaculture were swept away.

Floods have also caused damage to infrastructure. Total estimated damages from the start of the year to August 2 were approximately VNĐ256.5 billion ($10.2 million). Of that, the recent heavy rains caused about VNĐ211.5 billion ($8.4 million) in damages.

The province requested the Government to consider adjusting the target for reducing the number of particularly disadvantaged communes by 2025 from 45 to 32.

It also requested that communes recognised as having achieved new rural development standards continue to receive supportive policies for at least one year after recognition to ensure social welfare, especially for ethnic minority households and those newly lifted out of poverty.

Additionally, the province asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide guidance to implement regulations outlined in Article 3, Clause 2 of Circular No 55/2023/TT-BTC issued on August 15, 2023, concerning the procurement of crops, livestock, and goods produced directly by the people. It also sought timely review and proposal for amendments to facilitate support activities for breeding livestock in future years.

Members of the Deputy PM’s delegation addressed and responded to several of Điện Biên Province’s requests within their authority.

They recommended that the province review and update assessments of vulnerable areas, including changes in terrain, geology, and water accumulation points, and develop appropriate response plans.

They also advised maximising local resources for disaster recovery and improving search and rescue effectiveness, including organising search and rescue drills suited to local conditions, with an emphasis on night-time exercises. Prompt support for residents to stabilise their lives and assistance in disaster-affected areas were also emphasised.

Regarding the implementation of production support projects under national programmes, they said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is currently revising regulations and guidelines, with updates expected to be issued in November 2024 to provide localities with the necessary framework for implementation.

In his concluding remarks, Deputy PM Quang acknowledged the progress of Điện Biên Province during the first half of the year.

To ensure successful outcomes in the final months of the year, he urged the province to adopt comprehensive and decisive measures to expedite the disbursement of 2024 public investment funds. He also encouraged continued review and proposals to the Government regarding the province's overall planning, focusing on land use targets and the development of renewable energy.

Regarding disaster recovery efforts, he advised the provincial authority to closely monitor weather conditions, enhance warning and forecasting capabilities, review and prepare scenarios for extreme disaster events, ensure the safety of reservoirs during the rainy season, and improve communication with the natural disaster prevention and search and rescue centres at all levels.