The Australian government on Tuesday announced a grant of VND200 million (A$15,000) to support drowning prevention and life-saving training for instructors in the Mekong Delta.

The Vietnam National Aquatic Sports Association (VNASA) will use the funds to train about 110 instructors in swimming and drowning prevention.

The instructors will then transfer the skills to children aged 6-18 in the most flood-prone Mekong Delta provinces including An Giang, Ben Tre, Dong Thap, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Tien Giang and Vinh Long.

VNASA will also publish instructor handbooks on basic swimming techniques and drowning prevention for distribution in the region.

This is the second time VNASA has received funding via the Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP) funded by the Australian Sports Commission.

Last year, VNASA used Australian funds to provide similar training to more than 170 Mekong children and youth.

Le Hong Diep Chi, VNASA vice president said “The 2008 training was highly valued by local authorities because it supported work by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to universalize swimming and prevent injuries for children.”

Australian Ambassador Allaster Cox said life-saving and drowning prevention training is essential for children and youths living in Mekong Delta because they are most vulnerable to natural disasters.

“The project goes beyond simply encouraging sport and active lifestyles, and gives instructors and children the tools to prevent drowning and water-based injuries,” he said.

Source: thanhnien