In the face of challenges posed by natural disasters and the demands of sustainable development, a people-centered disaster warning system is a crucial area that needs attention and substantial improvement. It must ensure the following: Do people receive the information? Do they understand it? Do they understand the warning information but know how to respond? Do they have the capacity to respond? This is the core issue in maximizing the role and value of an early warning system.
However, the current people-centered disaster warning system still has different interpretations and applications, and does not adequately consider all factors to ensure its holistic and comprehensive nature, thereby maximizing the value of the system, rather than just one component. To ensure the role and value of a people-centered early warning system, it needs to apply digital transformation and ensure close coordination between disaster prevention and control management agencies, research and training institutions, domestic and international businesses and organizations, and the community to address the four main, closely related components:
1. Knowledge of natural disaster risks is based on the systematic collection of data and assessment of natural disaster risks.
- Are the dangers and weaknesses well known?
- What are the patterns and trends of these factors?
- Are risk maps and data widely available?
2. Detect, monitor, analyze, and predict potential hazards and their consequences.
- Are the warning messages and data being monitored?
- Is there a solid scientific basis for making these predictions?
- Is it possible to generate accurate and timely alerts?
3. Disseminate and communicate, through official sources, authoritative, timely, accurate, and actionable warnings, along with relevant information on likelihood and impact.
- Do the warnings reach all those at risk?
- Are the risks and warnings clearly understood?
- Are the warning messages clear and easy to use?
4. Preparedness at all levels to respond to received alerts.
- Are the response plans and strategies being updated and rehearsed?
- Are local skills and knowledge being leveraged?
- Are all citizens prepared and ready to respond to the warnings?
In response to the demands of disaster prevention and control, community-based disaster risk management, and the need to accelerate and strengthen the application of digital transformation in a substantive manner, ensuring that all warning information, directives, and guidance on disaster response reach the community, the Center for Disaster Prevention and Control Policy and Technology under the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention and Control has collaborated with the Community Disaster Prevention Fund to implement a pilot model of applying digital transformation in community-based disaster response and safe evacuation of people (hereinafter referred to as the Model) in Cam Due commune, Ha Tinh province in November 2025.
With the aim of enhancing community-based disaster response capabilities, the model was developed comprising four activities:
1. Developing the Ha Tinh Provincial Disaster Monitoring System: Ensuring unified and interconnected information and data between the Provincial and Commune-level Civil Defense Commands; commune-level rapid response forces and the community ( https://hatinh.pdms.dmptc.gov.vn/ ). The system will also have data interoperability with the Vietnam Disaster Monitoring System ( https://vndms.dmptc.gov.vn/ ).
Ha Tinh Provincial Disaster Monitoring System operates in real time, integrating meteorological and hydrological monitoring data, reservoir data, and vessel data, as well as providing timely meteorological warnings. Information and data are managed in a holistic, comprehensive, and inclusive manner, ensuring synchronization, interoperability, and meeting the requirements of being "accurate, complete, clean, and relevant."
2. Develop commune-level disaster risk maps, response maps, and safe evacuation maps for residents using the Disaster Response Plan Development Software ( https://ungphothientai.dmptc.gov.vn/ ). The safe evacuation map for flood prevention and control was developed by the Civil Defense Command of Cam Due commune for use in safe evacuation drills ( https://ungphothientai.dmptc.gov.vn/kich-ban/chi-tiet/68 ).
The Disaster Response Plan Development software allows provinces and communes to create digital maps such as disaster risk maps, response maps, and safe evacuation maps. Information and data for each subject in the plan are managed comprehensively, holistically, and updated in real time. With data synchronization with the Ha Tinh Provincial Disaster Monitoring System and related systems, response forces can implement disaster prevention and control measures in a manner that is consistent with reality.
3. Training and guidance for the Provincial and Commune Civil Defense Commands on the use of the Ha Tinh Provincial Disaster Monitoring System; Training for the Cam Due Commune Civil Defense Command on building disaster risk maps and safe evacuation maps for residents.
4. Organize drills for the safe evacuation of people to prevent and mitigate flooding, including: Mechanism drills, live-fire drills, and ensuring:
- Utilize the Ha Tinh Provincial Disaster Monitoring System; Digital disaster risk maps, and maps for safe evacuation of residents.
- Integrating content on gender equality, prevention of gender-based violence, and inclusion of vulnerable groups into disaster prevention and response.
The model for applying information technology and digital transformation in community-based disaster warning and response is designed with a data- and human-centric approach, ensuring close connectivity between operational command and field implementation. The central role of the community and social factors such as the inclusion of vulnerable groups, gender equality, and the prevention and control of gender-based violence are enhanced through drills, evacuations, and response activities.
The model was piloted in Cam Due commune, Ha Tinh province, and the results were reported at a conference introducing the model organized by the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention and Control, and the Community Fund for Disaster Prevention and Control on December 16, 2025. The conference was attended by the Department of Digital Transformation and related agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Departments of Agriculture and Environment of 24 provinces and cities, and domestic and international organizations. To expand the model, the Center for Policy and Technology for Disaster Prevention and Control proposes several points:
1. Develop a unified architectural framework and data structure, adhering closely to the regulations of the Government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the National Steering Committee for Digital Transformation Development. Simultaneously, issue regulations for managing, operating, and sharing information among agencies and organizations to ensure data is updated and utilized effectively.
2. The system needs to be developed synchronously on a digital platform (including Web and App), based on which, clearly define the shared functions and data to ensure interoperability between different levels, while also allowing for customization of specific functions to suit the characteristics of each locality.
3. Promote the sharing of information and data to support guidance and management between the Vietnam Disaster Monitoring System (VNDMS) and the disaster monitoring systems of the provinces, ensuring uniformity, timeliness, and synchronization.
4. Document the model for provinces to refer to and apply in training and drills for disaster response by the Provincial and Commune-level Disaster Prevention and Control Steering Committees. This approach contributes to improving the coordination of commune-level disaster prevention and control task forces, strengthening community response capacity, and ensuring the effective integration of content on the inclusion of vulnerable groups and the prevention and control of gender-based violence.