OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Vietnam - Forest Fire
19 April 2002


This report is based on information provided by the UNDP Office in
Vietnam, the Global Fire Monitoring Centre and media reports.

Event and Impact

1.  According to media reports, torrential rain on 10 April helped
extinguish the forest fire in U Minh Thuong National Park in the southern
province of Kien Giang. However, another fire started on 12 April in U Min
Ha Forest, which is the same forest but located in Ca Mau province. Fire
fighters warn that other fires could start at any time.

2.  The fire in U Minh Thuong National Park has reportedly destroyed 2,460
hectares, while the new fire in U Min Ha Forest has ravaged about 3,000
hectares of 12-year old cajeput trees. The new fire is threatening another
10,000 hectares, including the Vo Doi virgin forest 3 kilometres away.


National Response

3.  The government has established a steering committee to fight the
forest fires in the region.

4.  According to the media, more than 1,000 soldiers and over 250 firemen,
together with local residents, are clearing firebreak corridors 30 to
40-metre wide and digging trenches to prevent the fire from spreading. Ten
fire engines and 60 pumps were sent to the area. Twenty provinces in the
Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta and the south of the country are supporting the
fire-fighting effort.


General Information

5.  The government, the Office of the Resident Co-ordinator in Vietnam,
the Global Fire Monitoring Centre (GFMC) and OCHA remained in close
contact over the past two weeks to monitor the situation. There was no
request for international assistance, but in view of the latest
developments, the government invited a forest fire expert identified by
the GFMC. The expert, who is due to arrive in Vietnam on Saturday, 20
April, will support the government and identify possible needs for
international assistance. His mission, which is supported by the German
Agency for Technical Co-operation (GTZ), was facilitated and will be
carried out in close co-operation with UNDP, OCHA and the GFMC.

6.  GFMC is monitoring the situation and providing regular fire weather
forecasts.

7.  OCHA is in close contact with the office of the United Nations
Resident Co-ordinator in Hanoi and will revert with further information.

8.  This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Mr. R. Muller / Ms. M. Spaak
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 3131 / 1728 / 1173

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 56
  (NYC)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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