Hon Rick Barker
Minister of Civil Defence
28 Feburary 2008 Media Statement
Closer civil defence cooperation with Viet Nam
Closer cooperation on civil defence matters has been a key theme in discussions between Civil Defence Minister, Rick
Barker and Vietnamese Ministers and civil defence experts.
At a meeting with Vice-Minister Dao Xuan Hoc, of the Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control, Mr Barker invited
the Vice-Minister and his colleagues to visit New Zealand and observe a civil defence exercise. He also undertook to
share civil defence education material developed in New Zealand – Get Ready Get Thru and What’s the Plan Stan?
“Helping to build stronger more resilient communities through international cooperation and the sharing of knowledge
will ultimately benefit both New Zealand and Viet Nam,” Mr Barker said.
“The Indonesian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina have been a wake-up call for the world. These events show that all nations
are vulnerable to natural disasters. New Zealand is keen to work with other nations in our region to share information
and approaches so we can all be more resilient and prepared. It’s important to have plans in place, but it’s even more
important to practice implementing them.
Mr Barker also visited the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology and was briefed on cooperation with GNS Science.
GNS Science is undertaking a tsunami hazard, risk and preparedness project with the Academy’s Institute of Geophysics
funded by a $580,000 grant from NZAID. He was briefed on the project and toured the Earthquake Information and Tsunami
Warning Centre established with advice from GNS scientists. The Academy and GNS Science will shortly sign a memorandum
of understanding that will provide a basis for further scientific cooperation between Viet Nam and New Zealand.
“I welcome the growing cooperation between Viet Nam and New Zealand and congratulated the Institute on establishing its
Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Centre,” Mr Barker said.
In addition the Minister met with the National Committee on Search and Rescue of Viet Nam’s Ministry of Defence where
New Zealand’s strengths in urban search and rescue were discussed.
ENDS