HAI PHONG, May 15, 2015 - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and its partner, Peace Winds America, have launched the Sister Cities Disaster Preparedness Program.  Numerous small and medium sized businesses will participate in the three-year initiative that promotes business resilience and public-private cooperation in partnership with the city of Hai Phong.

In May 2015, the initiative begins a business continuity training program for ten pre-selected pilot businesses.  Upon completing this program, the business leaders will be better able to protect their organizations from disaster risks by using actionable business continuity plans. These pilot businesses will serve as models for other Hai Phong businesses in preparing for continuity during future disasters.  Vietnamese trainers representing business associations, universities, and the government will join the pilot sessions for  a “Train the Trainer” program. 

“Hai Phong, like many of Vietnam’s coastal cities, is exposed to rising sea levels and increased storm risks, leaving the private sector concerned about continued loss of business, damage to infrastructure and employee safety, said USAID/Vietnam’s Mission Director, Joakim Parker. “This initiative focuses on increasing business resilience and improving public-private coordination on disaster planning within the City of Hai Phong.”

Working closely with Hai Phong government and business representatives, the Sister Cities Disaster Preparedness program  provides technical expertise to strengthen disaster planning, risk reduction and recovery. The program will harness the existing Seattle-Hai Phong Sister City relationship, relying heavily on disaster management and business continuity experts within the Seattle area.

For more information about the Sister Cities Disaster Preparedness Program. Please go to: http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1861/FS_SisterCities_Eng.pdf