Due to the impact of climate change, riverbank and coastal erosion in Ca Mau province has increased in recent years. (Photo: VNA)Ca Mau (VNA) - UNICEF Vietnam is willing to provide technical support andcooperate with the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau to tackle issues triggeredby natural disasters and epidemics, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam RanaFlowers told provincial leaders on May 26.
The twosides discussed several matters, most notably the impact of climate change, risingsea levels, drought, and epidemics on agricultural production, together with cleanwater supply and education for the vulnerable, such as women and children.
Speakingat the meeting, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Than DucHuong said the province’s per capita income is relatively low as just 40percent of its workforce is employed locally. Climate change has increased the burdenon local economic development, he added.
Prolongeddrought has destroyed over 20,500 ha of rice and about 16,000 ha of shrimp,while some 20,500 households have been enduring water shortages since thebeginning of this year’s dry season, the leading official said.
Huongfurther noted that those most affected by climate change are children from poorand near-poor families, as well as those from ethnic minority groups. Because of a severe shortage of clean water, the number of children infected with diarrhoea, denguefever, or foot-and-mouth disease is on the rise.
COVID-19,meanwhile, has taken a heavy toll on local livelihoods, particularly low-incomeand poor households and policy beneficiaries, he explained.
Heexpected that UNICEF will support Ca Mau’s efforts to cushion the blow from climatechange and epidemics and provide relief to those hit by natural disasters.
In the longterm, the province is looking for assistance in developing a climate changemonitoring system and freshwater supply networks not only for basic daily usebut also for production.
UNICEFRepresentative Flowers spoke highly of the province’s efforts to supportpeople, especially women and children, during emergency situations.
UNICEF isdeveloping a cooperation programme with Vietnam in the next five years and wantsto coordinate with Ca Mau to do more for local women and children, particularlyin terms of education, healthcare, clean water, environmental protection, andnatural disaster response, she said./.
VNA
