Vietnam has implemented a reforestation plan that will include planting 5 million hectares of forests, according to the Vietnam Red Cross, which is working to have mangrove forests included in the program. mangrove forests help provide inland protection from coastal flooding and typhoons. Over the past 40 years, war, commercial exploitation and population growth have reduced Vietnam's coastal mangrove area from 400,000 ha by almost two thirds. Vietnam has already replanted 20,000 ha of mangrove forests as part of a disaster preparedness programme over the past 10 years.Published with permission of the Disaster Management Unit of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Asia Pacific Zone.For more information: http://www.ifrc.org/Global/Publications/disasters/reducing_risks/Case-study-Vietnam.pdf
