HANOI, 5 March 2010 (IRIN) - As temperatures rise in Vietnam, a
nationwide drought has dried up riverbeds, sparked forest fires and now
threatens one of the world's richest agricultural regions, upon which millions
depend for their livelihoods.
In order to help Vietnam respond and adapt to
climate change, Japan will give Vietnam a preferential loan of 450 million USD,
Denmark pledged to support with 53 million USD, and the World Bank and UNDP are
also committed to help Vietnam financially.
Thousands of
families in Vietnam’s
Mekong River Delta are facing shortages of fresh water due to the rising levels
of salt water, which began in early February 2010. Salt water also threatens
hundreds of hectares of crops.
VN hails int’l support for climate change response
Friday, 05 February 2010
International
support to mitigate damage from climate change in Vietnam not only helps the
country’s poverty reduction efforts, but also helps ensure world food security,
said a Vietnamese official.