Prime Minister Okays Funds for Disaster Response

The Prime Minister has approved an advance of VND239 billion ($11.1 million) from the State budget for the implementation of projects to evacuate residents from areas vulnerable to natural disasters in 2014. According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, there are such 45 projects in need of capital. They aim to move 7,077 households or over 33,000 people from areas prone to flash floods and landslides in 24 provinces. Since 2000, 250 flash floods and hundreds of landslides have occurred in Vietnam's mountainous provinces, injuring residents and damaging property and production land. (Vietnamnews.vn Oct 29)