(VOVworld) - The authorities of Hanoi have decided to grant financial aid worth 19 billion VND (855,000 USD) to support the Central Highlands, south central and Mekong Delta localities hardest hit by droughts and saline intrusion.

To provice fresh water to people in drought affected localities

Accordingly, the beneficiaries will receive 1 billion VND (45,000 USD) each. Previously, the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) provided 23 billion VND (over 1 million USD) in support of 16 localities in the regions.
The Vietnam Red Cross Society also began sending emergency relief to residents in 11 central, Central Highlands and Mekong Delta provinces suffering from acute drought and saltwater intrusion. At present, many localities in these regions are currently severely hit by drought and saltwater. Especially, all 13 localities in the Mekong Delta region have incurred losses caused by saline intrusion.

Hydrometeorology monitoring data in the Central Highlands, from December 2015 to February 2016, shows rainfall in the region dropped by 40 percent year on year, while water levels in almost all reservoirs fell by between 15-35 percent compared to the average level of previous years. Over 35 percent of rivers and streams and 40 percent of small lakes have become dry.