Japan to Grant $2.08M to Climate Change Project in Vietnam Mekong Delta

The Japanese government will donate $2.08 million to help Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region cope with climate change amid its foreseen huge impacts next years, state media reported. The project, to be carried out in the 2012-2013 period, will benefit seven coastal provinces of Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Kien Giang. The project is aimed to study and build up climate change response solutions to the sustainable development of agriculture and rural coastal areas in the region. It will focus on dealing with urgent issues, including flooding, saltwater intrusion and lack of fresh water for production and domestic use. The project’s top priority will be given to building saltwater control work, changing crop timetables and reinforcing sea dyke systems to manage seawater intrusion and reduce water leakages. Earlier, the Vietnamese government approved a VND1.9-trillion national target program on climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta region, where the weather has changed much in recent times with prolonged dry season, sudden floods, rising saltwater intrusion, drought and landslides. The region is listed among the three global areas most vulnerable to climate change. If the sea level rises by 1 meter, one third of the region’s areas will be underwater. The delta, which is home to 22% of Vietnam’s population, produces half the nation’s rice output, 60% of seafood, 80% of fruit crops and accounts for 90% of total national rice exports. (Ha Noi Moi - New Hanoi June 18 p3, Nong Nghiep Viet Nam - Vietnam Agriculture June 18 p2, Vietnamplus.vn June 16)