Climate change, natural disasters – main challenges of Mekong Delta
Major challenges facing the Mekong Delta remain climate change and natural disasters, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dang Huy Dong told a conference in Can Tho on July 14.
Can Tho (VNA) – Major challenges facing the MekongDelta remain climate change and natural disasters, Deputy Minister of Planningand Investment Dang Huy Dong told a conference in the Mekong Delta city of CanTho on July 14.
Dong said the region now suffers scarcity of fresh water,saline intrusion, flooding and drought. Its spontaneous urban development andindustrialisation and limited transport infrastructure are also one of the shortcomings.
He suggested taking multi-sectoral approaches to dealingwith the issue based on long-term vision.
Former Minister of Natural Resources and Environment DangHung Vo said it is inevitable to make planning in combination with climatechange response.
On water resources management, former Deputy Minister ofAgriculture and Rural Development Dao Xuan Hoc said it takes joint efforts ofcountries, ministries and agencies, focusing on dealing with issues regardingthe construction of hydro power plants on the Mekong mainstream, groundwaterand sand exploitation.
He urged building a system of sluices along Tien and Hau Riversin order to regulate water sources and minimise early flooding.
Deputy Director of the National Institute of AgriculturalPlanning and Projection Nguyen Trong Uyen stressed the need to devise measuresto use and manage agricultural land as well as study new varieties that adaptto climate change.
The event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Planning and Investmentand the World Bank (WB) in Vietnam.-VNA
Vietnamese Ambassador Duong Chi Dung highlighted Vietnam’s achievements in natural disaster mitigation and climate change response in his speech to an United Nations discussion session
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As a centre of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho is expected to pioneer in the enhancement of urban resilience in Vietnam, heard a workshop held in the city on June 27.
The Mekong Delta, home to some 18 million inhabitants, is plagued by severe riverbank erosion, which has been blamed on climate change and human factors.
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Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
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In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
