Worst drought in 90 years hits Vietnam - World Vision is there to assist

Monday, June 20, 2016

El Niño has hit hard in Vietnam. One million people are in need of urgent food assistance and two million lacking access to drinking water. The country's worst drought in 90 years coupled with seawater intrusion into the Mekong River delta have destroyed fruit, rice and sugar crops - over 400,000 hectares of crops have been lost.

The incidence of communicable diseases in children, women and the elderly, including respiratory diseases, dermatitis, diarrhea, sore eyes have increased as people resort to using dirty water for their daily needs.

We’re seeking additional funds so that we can help people who have lost their livelihoods and need food and water.

Around 5,000 people, who have been suffering from poor health, nutrition and who have lost their incomes will receive support from World Vision donors to address their most needs. 

 

K' Thị Phiệu (38) and her son, K' Văn Vương (8) received a large barrel for water storage from World Vision. "I like to see my family have the water tank," said Vuong. "It helps us to keep water, I have to carry it such a long way, and I can wash hands and clean the vegetables," she said.

With funds from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) World Vision will distribute 20,000 bottles of drinking water and 1,250 plastic water tanks - each family will receive 320 litres (approximately a 40 day supply) and one 1,000-liter water tank.

 

“Our urgent relief is to try and contain the diseases that arise from the lack of clean water,” says Le Van Duong, World Vision’s National Coordinator of Humanitarian & Emergency Affairs in Vietnam. “We’re seeking additional funds so that we can help people who have lost their livelihoods and need food and water,” he said. Over the next two months, nearly 2,000 people who have lost their crops will also benefit from the World Vision's support in the form of food aid and domestic water supplies.