Canada and UNDP support Can Tho in strengthening early warning systems

On November 18, in Vinh Phuoc Ward, the People’s Committee of Can Tho City held a handover ceremony for the Hydrometeorological Early Warning and Disaster Management System (HMEWS), part of the Climate-Smart Coastal Communities in Viet Nam (VN-CSCC) project.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diep, Vice Chairwoman of the Can Tho City People’s Committee, affirmed that putting the HMEWS into operation marks an important step forward in enhancing monitoring capacity and early warning systems, enabling communities to proactively respond to extreme weather events and disaster risks. The system also contributes to promoting green economic models and climate adaptation.

Nickel James Stafford, Ambassador of Canada to Viet Nam, and Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam, highly valued the cooperation with Can Tho City and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen the city’s climate resilience.

During the ceremony, the parties signed the handover document, cut the ribbon, and officially launched the HMEWS in Vinh Phuoc Ward. The system is expected to improve early warning capacity and help protect local communities.

In the coming period, Can Tho City will continue maintaining, updating, and effectively operating the HMEWS. The city will also consider scaling up the model to build a safer, more climate-resilient, and sustainable urban environment.

The VN-CSCC project is funded by the Government of Canada through UNDP and implemented during 2024–2030, with the Can Tho Department of Agriculture and Environment serving as project owner.

Following the initial rollout in Soc Trang Province in 2024, the project has been expanded to Can Tho City after administrative restructuring. Key activities include installing seven automated hydrometeorological monitoring and early warning systems (HMEWS) in Vinh Phuoc, Vinh Chau, and the communes of Lai Hoa, Tran De, and Cu Lao Dung; conducting community consultations on climate information needs; providing training to enhance environmental monitoring capacity for officials and residents; and measuring climate indicators and carbon stocks of mangrove forests.

Kim Anh