Organised by the Hanoi School of Public Health and the Norwegian Embassy, a workshop “Training and Research Needs on the Psychological/Mental Perspectives of Disasters” was recently held in Vietnam.
The objective of workshop was to provide an overview of current training and research in Vietnam – in the area of mental health during and after disasters. Around 30 representatives from different government agencies, NGOs, universities and research institutes participated.
They shared information on current activities and discussed and proposed strategies to implement measures to meet research and training needs in this area in Vietnam. Dr. Ragnhild Dybdahl, Deputy Head of Mission of the Norwegian Embassy, emphasised the importance of such communication between different partners.
Partners in Vietnam agree on working towards forming a network on psychosocial responses to disasters. “The different actors need to challenge each other, teach each other, and use knowledge of each other”, said Dr. Ragnhild Dybdahl, Deputy Head of Mission of the Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi.
Prevention of humanitarian disasters is vital for saving lives and preventing serious setbacks in the fight against poverty. Norway is actively engaged in the disaster risk reduction agenda. Adaptation to climate change and the prevention and mitigation of the impact of disasters are important aspects of Norwegian humanitarian policy.
