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SUMMARY OF THE EARLY ACTION PROTOCOL
The IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) has allocated CHF 225,285 for the implementation of anticipatory actions to reduce and mitigate the impact of heatwave in Viet Nam. This Early Action Protocol (EAP) includes an allocation of CHF 111,390 to preposition stock and to undertake annual readiness activities to implement early actions, if and when the trigger is reached. The early actions to be conducted have been pre-agreed with the National Society and are described in the EAP summary [Link to the EAP summary on IFRC’s appeals website].
This report summarizes the annual readiness and/or prepositioning activities done during the reporting period. The report also includes any changes or updates to the initially agreed plan.
Since receiving approval from the relevant ministries in Viet Nam to launch the heatwave EAP in the three targeted provinces of Ha Noi, Hai Phong, and Da Nang, the Viet Nam Red Cross Society (VNRC) has been working closely with the Institute of Hydrometeorological Sciences and Climate Change (IMHEN) to monitor the heat index, ensure the accuracy of the EAP, and remain prepared to activate the protocol once the trigger is reached. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, temperatures approached the trigger point at least twice. However, unexpected fluctuations in temperature, coupled with VNRC’s internal approval procedures, have prevented the activation of the EAP.
VNRC has consistently conducted inspections, monitoring, and evaluations of volunteers' capabilities while also organizing warehouse visits and supervision to ensure the quality of stored equipment. Prepositioned stocks— including ice storage boxes, stainless steel thermal bottles, thermometers, loudspeakers, foldable medical beds, and communication materials—were stored in the three targeted provinces. The procurement process strictly adhered to the guidelines of both the IFRC and the Vietnamese government, requiring VNRC to publicly announce bids on the government's official procurement website. The VNRC procurement team, project management team, and IFRC in-country programme officer collaborated closely to select the most suitable suppliers. Framework agreements with bus service providers were established in 2022, ensuring that once the EAP is activated, buses can be deployed immediately to serve as cooling shelters for the targeted population. Each year, VNRC headquarters dispatches its project management board to the provinces to inspect the availability and maintenance status of the equipment.
In 2024, three annual coordination meetings were held across the targeted provinces to provide project updates and enhance knowledge of technical aspects. These meetings were followed by refresher training for staff and volunteers to ensure their readiness before EAP activation. A total of 111 local staff members (56 male, 55 female) and 580 volunteers (Ha Noi: 300, Hai Phong: 140, Da Nang: 140) attended training sessions covering updated operational procedures, actions to be taken upon EAP activation, and financial reconciliation to ensure transparency in implementation. This refresher training also included sessions on health-related activities during Public EAP activation, with a particular focus on responding to heat shock and heat-induced illnesses, ensuring participants were well-equipped to manage health risks effectively.
Additionally, VNRC, in collaboration with local authorities, conducted a monitoring survey at cooling center sites in 29 wards to assess their setup and ensure readiness for activation. The survey results confirmed that the targeted provinces were prepared to implement the protocol once the trigger is reached. However, due to prolonged storage since 2019, much of the equipment has corroded due to oxidation. Further support from the IFRC may be required to reassess the quality of the equipment designated for the EAP.