Vietnam’s central highlands province of Dak Lak Nov 14 started a project to build a clean water supply system financed by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). With the support of $4.5 million non-refundable aid from the Korean government through KOICA, the project is aimed to benefit 80,000 households in Buon Ho town. The town is suffering from regular drought as negative impacts of climate change. Currently, only 30% of local families can get access to running water. So, clean water supply is very crucial to them, a local official said. Han Choong Sik, KOICA Deputy President, said the project is expected to actively support socio-economic development and mitigate the effects of climate change for not only Buon Ho town but also neighboring areas. As commitment of Korea with international community, the country will contribute around $200 million to the East Asia Fund to combat climate change in the 2008-2012 period. The government of South Korea earlier pledged to provide $270 million in official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam this year. (cpv.org.vn Nov 14, Quan Doi Nhan Dan – People’s Army Nov 15, Tuoi Tre – Youth Nov 15)
