PM approves Mekong Delta program against climate change
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a water conservation program for the Mekong Delta from 2012 to 2020 to deal with climate change challenges including rising sea levels.
The program, with orientation to 2050, covers 3.96 million ha in all the 12 delta provinces of Long An, Dong Thap, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Ben Tre, An Giang, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Kien Giang as well as Can Tho City.
It is expected to benefit 32 million residents (estimated for 2050) in the delta, 12 million of them in coastal areas and the remaining 20 million people residing in flood-prone areas.
A total investment of VND171.7 trillion is required to implement irrigation works including sea and river embankments, canals, reservoirs, flood-control facilities, spillways and flood-control dams.