(VOVworld) - A meeting marking World Water Day 2016 themed Water and Jobs was held in Thanh Hoa province on Tuesday. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Minh Quang said that Vietnam’s water resources is facing many challenges as two thirds of Vietnam’s rivers originated from other countries such as China, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand.

Severe water shortages have been reported in central and central highlands provinces. The Mekong Delta has been suffering from drought and saltwater intrusion, the worst disaster in 100 years. More than half a million people in coastal areas are lacking fresh water. Minister Quang said: “On World Water Day, we call on ministries and sectors to compromise on developing a policy to ensure water security towards sustainable social development. To this end, water use in all sectors must be efficient and unified coordination at all levels is needed.  It is an urgent need to protect and save water resources. Mountain provinces should pay more attention to information campaigns to increase people’s awareness of the importance of protecting upstream forests and preventing floods.”

A scientific seminar on water and jobs, a photo exhibition, and an art program were also held to mark the occasion.