The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Vietnam Farmers Union (VFU) have launched nationwide activities in response to the National Week Clean Water and Environmental Hygiene 2015 (April 29-May 6).

At the launch ceremony held in the northern province of Ha Nam, Dr. Nguyen Duy Luong, Vice Chairman of VFU’s Central Committee said clean water and environmental sanitation not only relate to the living conditions of each person but also impact the development of any country.

He affirmed that the VFU will intensify communication effort to popularise the Party and State’s policies concerning the issue, in order to raise public awareness of economical use of water resources and rural environment protection.

Implementing the National Target Programme on Rural Clean Water and Environmental Hygiene during 2012-1015, b y the end of 2014, up to 84.5 percent of rural population across the country areas have access to hygienic water, while 63 percent of rural households have sanitary latrines. Over 91 percent of schools and 93 percent of medical stations nationwide have hygienic water supply facilities and latrines.

The Programme contributed to realising one of the 19 criteria set for t he national programme on building new-style rural areas.

At the ceremony, Ha Nam authorities inaugurated a clean water supply system funded by the World Bank. With a total of capacity of 4,500cu.m/day, the work helps bring clean water to 12,700 residents in Liem Tuyen and Liem Tiet communes in Phu Ly city.-VNA