Berlin funds water filtration units for flood-hit schools in Vietnam
VOV.VN-The State Office for Development Cooperation of Berlin (Germany) in coordination with the Lichtenberg district administration will fund the provision of long-term access to clean water for at least 8,000 students, teachers and families affected by flooding in Vietnam, including 20 mobile PAUL water treatment units (Portable Aqua Unit for Lifesaving) for schools in remote areas.
The support was announced by Franziska Giffey, Mayor of Berlin and Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises.
She stressed that the friendship between Berlin and Vietnam is shown in concrete actions, particularly during times of crisis, and said the support for providing clean water to flood victims in Vietnam, implemented through World University Service (WUS) Germany, demonstrates the effectiveness of international cooperation at the local level.
Meanwhile, Martin Schaefer, District Mayor of Lichtenberg, said that with the 20 PAUL water treatment units, schools in flood-affected areas of Vietnam will have a regular supply of clean water in the future. He noted that Berlin and Vietnam share a long-standing friendship, adding that in Lichtenberg, home to a large Vietnamese community, this relationship is part of everyday life.
The mobile PAUL water filtration systems have been transported to Vietnam with support from Vietnam Airlines for distribution to affected schools.
Each PAUL system can treat at least 1,200 liters of contaminated water per day, supplying up to 3 liters of clean drinking water per person per day for as many as 400 people. The units are resource-efficient and operate without chemicals, electricity or external technical experts, thanks to advanced membrane filtration technology.
Dr. Kambiz Ghawami, President of WUS Germany, said it was impressive that Berlin has once again shown solidarity with the Vietnamese people. Referring to Berlin’s support in 2021 through the provision of COVID-19 test kits from its emergency reserves, he noted that 20 schools will now have access to safe drinking water.
The PAUL project, he said, contributes to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation, while also supporting education and healthcare. He added that Berlin-Vietnam solidarity has been particularly evident in times of crisis, recalling that when Berlin faced a shortage of protective masks in 2020, Vietnam responded swiftly, and Berlin is now assisting flood-affected communities in central Vietnam.
In total, WUS has installed more than 390 PAUL water treatment units across Vietnam in recent years, enabling over 156,000 students, teachers and parents to access clean water on a daily basis.
Vietnamese community in Germany raises nearly US$159,000 to support flood victims
The Federation of Vietnamese Associations in Germany has raised more than VND4.17 billion (nearly US$159,000) to support victims affected by floods in Vietnam.
