Foreign NGOs and businesses pledge to support Vietnam’s drought-hit localities

22 foreign non-governmental organizations (NGO) and businesses have pledged to provide long-term assistance for Vietnamese localities hit by prolonged drought and saline intrusion. Assistance efforts will include clean water, food and nutrition supply programs.

The commitment was made during a consultation conference to build plans and guidelines to cope with the ongoing drought and salinization in 13 central, Central Highlands, and Mekong River Delta regions. The conference was held by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) in Hanoi on April 4^th.

According to the 2016-2019 agreement inked with the VUFO, these organizations and businesses will conduct 30 programs and projects worth US$ 12.3 million, to help Vietnamese localities deal with disasters. 

Recently, prolonged drought and saline intrusion in Vietnam have threatened the livelihoods, food security, and water resources of around 1.8 million people, including 455,000 children in central, Central Highlands, and Mekong River Delta regions. In addition, thousands of hectares of rice and other plants were destroyed. Many households have been facing water shortages. So water for daily use is in short supply, increasing risks related to health, nutrition and hygiene conditions.

In a bid to cope with drought and salinization, the People’s Aid Coordinating Committee (PACCOM) worked with the Disaster Management Working Group (DMWG) and international organizations to survey the demands of locals in six affected localities.

At the conference, participants announced the results of the survey and recommended calling upon non-governmental organizations, partners, development agencies, international organizations, businesses, and experts to provide assistance for affected localities. Conference participants also suggested measures to use such aid effectively.

Source: People's Army

International NGOs pledge $12.3m aid for drought hit areas

Initial support totaling 1.1 million USD will focus on clean water, food and nutrition supply programs for Vietnamese communities hardest hit by drought and saline intrusion.

Over 20 international NGOs pledged to implement 30 programs and projects from 2016 to 2019 in 13 affected areas in the central region, Central Highlands and the Mekong Delta, with a total budget of 12.3 million USD.

The commitment is denoted in a framework agreement signed with Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), which was announced at a conference on April 4.

Experts and representatives from foreign NGOs, international diplomatic and development cooperation agencies, international organizations and enterprises discussed a strategy to deal with the ongoing drought and saltwater intrusion.

Prior to the conference, VUFO’s People’s Aid Coordinating Committee (PACCOM) coordinated with the Disaster Management Working Group (DMWG) and international organizations to evaluate the support needed in six of the affected areas.

Conference participants assessed the resulting findings on damage, needs and local governments' measures to cope with the situation. Recommendations were then made to call for assistance from international organizations. They also shared ways to effectively use aid.

Drought and saline intrusion in Vietnam are threatening livelihoods, food security and water resources of nearly 1.8 million people, including 455,000 children. Thousands of hectares of cultivation land have been damaged, and many households are facing water shortages, along with other risks related to health, nutrition and hygiene.

Source: VnExpress