Residents in Chau Thanh district’s Phu Phong commune in Tien Giang province receive water from free supply sites run by the People’s Committee. (Photo: VNA/VNS)
Hanoi (VNA) - TheMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment has allocated 800 million VND(nearly 34,000 USD) to five provinces which have declared an emergency due tosaltwater intrusion.
The money comes from the ministry's VietnamEnvironmental Protection Fund.
The provinces are Long An, TienGiang, Ben Tre, Kien Giang and Ca Mau, all in the Mekong Delta.
The ministry has instructed theprovinces and Can Tho City to ensure water for production and households underthe Prime Minister’s guidance on urgent solutions for prevention of drought,water shortage and saltwater intrusion.
They must also compile a list ofresidential areas facing water shortage that need urgent priority for help.
The ministry has set up a team to help thelocalities investigate and seek fresh water sources.
Drought and water shortageshave occurred throughout the country, especially in the Mekong Deltaregion, as low rainfall and saltwater intrusion have occurred since December.
Saltwater intrusion in several areas hasbeen deeper than during the same period of 2016 when it reached record levels.
The situation is expected to continuefor some time, experts said.
The Vietnam Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh Cityhas received donations totalling more than 9 billion VND from enterprises,organisations and individuals in the city to help people in areas affected bydrought and saltwater intrusion in the south central, Central Highlands, andMekong Delta regions.
Enterprises and organisations in thecity have transported water containers to people in these areas.
The Prime Minister has also approved anallocation of 530 billion VND from the central backup budget for this yearfor the Mekong Delta provinces of Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Kien Giang, CaMau, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, and Bac Lieu./.
