PANO – The Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee on December 14 announced the formation of the Bien Xanh (Blue Sea) Volunteer Force and held a training course for volunteers from 28 coastal provinces and cites.

During the one day training, the participants were equipped with knowledge of climate change and methods to control clime change in coastal areas as well as measures to minimize losses caused by sea environmental problems.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr. Vu Si Tuan, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands said that Vietnam is among ten countries seriously hit by strong storms with around 450 people reported dead or missing annually and huge property losses. Therefore, the establishment of the volunteer forces to cope with sea and island environmental problems is very important, making contributions to protecting the environment and effectively coping with climate change which is threatening people’s lives and public orders.

Mr. Phan Phuong Bac, a volunteer from Thanh Hoa province, promised that in the time to come, Blue Sea Volunteer Force’s members will actively work with local relevant organs to organize activities for sea environment as well as rescue victims.

Translated by Son Ca