Long-term fundraising programme needed to support disaster victims
It is necessary to build an annual long-term fundraising programme to promptly support people affected by natural disasters, heard a conference held by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee in Hanoi on August 26.
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Participants agreed that natural disasters have become more and more frequent and severe, so besides charity campaigns, the most important thing is to help vulnerable communities increase climate change resilience and seek long-term and stable livelihood.
The conference reviewed the implementation of a joint action programme to assist people in the Mekong Delta affected by salt water intrusion, drought victims in south-central and south-eastern regions, and those suffering from damages by the mass fish deaths in the central provinces.
According to the VFF Central Committee, the involved organisations have raised over VND204 billion (US$9.18 million) and 1,861 tonnes of rice to support the target beneficiaries.
The General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army has also dispatched more than 8,600 officials and soldiers to help residents in drought-hit areas.
Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Nam Dinh, and Ha Nam led the fundraising campaign.
Regarding the serious environmental incident in the central region, Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Huu Chi said Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Limited Company has sent US$250 million into the State treasury, half of its pledged compensation for the incident.
The remaining half is scheduled to be handed over on August 28, he said.
He reported that so far, only Thua Thien – Hue province has submitted its plan on supporting affected households, while Quang Tri, Quang Binh and Ha Tinh are yet to send in their plans.
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nghia proposed the VFF keep a close watch on the disbursement of Formosa’s compensation to ensure that the money reach the victims.
President of the VFF Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan suggested build specific programmes and plans to proactively support natural disaster victims in 2017 and the following years.
He proposed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment coordinate with the VFF to carry out the climate change adaptation programme.
At the same time, the ministry needs to popularise the Law on Environmental Protection and inspect businesses’ activities to ensure environmental safety, the VFF leader said.
