Vietnam Red Cross implements heatwave risk management model

The Vietnam Red Cross Society is implementing a project titled ‘Forecast-based Financing for Heat’ to manage risks associated with extreme heat caused by climate change. Running from February 2022 to August 2026, the initiative is funded by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) with a total budget exceeding 5.138 trillion VND.

The project focuses on major urban centers, including Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Da Nang, targeting vulnerable groups such as construction workers, sanitation workers, street vendors, and informal laborers. Instead of reacting after heatwaves occur, the model utilizes meteorological and hydrological data to trigger early actions, allowing for proactive resource allocation and community protection.

Key objectives include establishing a scientific framework for early action based on weather thresholds and improving the capacity of local Red Cross chapters to analyze forecasts. Additionally, the project supports the creation and maintenance of community heat shelters to mitigate health risks.