The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has helped raise the area of mangrove forests to more than 22,000 hectares in Vietnam’s northern region in the 2006-2010 period, state media reported Dec 29. The figure was released at a reviewing meeting held in the northern port city of Haiphong Dec 26. Between 2006 and 2010, the IFRC joined hands with the Vietnam Red Cross and local authorities in the project on growing mangrove forests, 366 hectares of Casullina equisetifolia and 64,800 clumps of bamboos to prevent waves. The project was carried out in 157 communes in 43 districts and towns in eight provinces of Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh and Haiphong city. It not only helped the localities reduce poverty but also helped raise people’s awareness about prevention of natural calamities and environment protection. (Ha Noi Moi – New Hanoi Dec 29 p3)
