Senior officials from Morocco visited Vietnam from 19-25 June 2013 to exchange experiences with the Government of Vietnam on community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM). Over the 1-week trip, officials from Morocco interacted with community leaders, national and local officials, and develop Exchange ment partners, to discuss the operationalization of disaster risk management (DRM) in local development plans, with associated challenges and opportunities. ADPC facilitated the visit in collaboration with the World Bank and the Disaster Management Center.Participants from key line-ministries joined the delegation in a national-level exchange meeting with Vietnamgovernment’s Disaster Management Center and discussed national disaster risk management strategies focusing specifically on community-based disaster risk management. The Moroccan delegation shared their experiences and ideas to further address disaster risk in Morocco.

Additionally, key stakeholder meetings were organized among those implementing and supporting community-based disaster risk management activities in Vietnam. The delegation learned of various disaster risk management and climate change programs on-going with the Government of Vietnam and partners. As a conclusion, the delegation was able to draw upon lessons learned on institutionally strengthening disaster risk management, particularly on the coordination between disaster risk management and climate change adaptation.

To experience this work in action, the delegation made a field visit to Vietnam’s Mekong Delta with national authorities. Their visit encouraged interaction with provincial and local authorities, and community visits to observe community infrastructure and plans.

The exchange visit offered an invaluable learning opportunity for both the Moroccan delegation and Vietnam officials and partners. The Moroccan delegation is enthusiastic to learn from and adapt the successful initiatives in Vietnam, for implementation in Morocco. Opportunities for longer-term partnerships for DRM between Vietnam and Morocco were also discussed in earnest.