UNICEF helps Vietnam improve sanitation, clean water

The representatives of UNICEF and Vietnam Red Cross Society sign a cooperation agreement to implement a project on improving sanitation and clean water. (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Vietnam Red Cross Society signed a cooperation agreement on November 8 to implement a project on urgent response to the need for clean water of children and families affected by drought and salt intrusion in Vietnam.

The project was sponsored by the UNICEF and will be carried out from November this year to February, 2017, with a total budget of 125,000 USD.

UNICEF Vietnam Acting Representative Jesper Moller said the project focuses on improving access to clean water and sanitary practice for 30,000 vulnerable people, including 10,000 children and 15,000 women, in six provinces – Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan in the south​ central region, Ben Tre and Soc Trang in the Mekong Delta, and Kon Tum and Gia Lai in the Central Highlands.

The project will help enhance management capacity and local officials’ capability in the implementation of initiatives towards restoring and strengthening resilience against drought and salt intrusion in the six target provinces, particularly children-centred ones.

Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu, President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, noted that this is the first project the society directly work with UNICEF to improve the life of children and people in the Mekong Delta.

Thu hoped UNICEF will continue working with the society to provide more help to those who are in disadvantaged circumstances.-VNA