PANO – 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 4th.

(Photo for illustration)

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.

Translated by Tran Hoai