The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will carry out nine projects to help Vietnam deal with huge negative impacts of climate change in the Mekong Delta region in the years to come. The projects focus on building anti-salinity gates, building and upgrading sea dykes, managing water sources, and developing fresh water resources in the seven provinces of Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Kien Giang. Under the projects, JICA will boost capacity in water-flow management, adjust crop calendar and promote sustainable shrimp growing in the region to help the locals improve their economic conditions. According to the Southern Institute for Water Resources Planning, orchards and rice fields in the region are the most vulnerable to by climate change, especially salt water intrusion. Since 2011, JICA has assisted the seven localities in completing forecast and evaluation of climate change impacts for the 2020-2050 period and establish master plans and measures to adapt to climate change. The Mekong River Delta region, the country’s largest rice granary and aquaculture, is forecast to suffer heavily from severe flooding caused by rising sea levels and climate change. If sea level rises by 100cm, up to 92% of areas in the region will be underwater for six to eight months yearly, as shown in a recent report by the United Nations Development Program. (danviet.vn May 11)
