Australian Ambassador announces new direct aid support for central Vietnam

Australian Ambassador H.E. Mr Allaster Cox announced today Australian Government support for four development projects promoting disaster mitigation, disability support and sustainable livelihoods in central Vietnam. Mr Cox announced VND820 million support for the four projects – funded through the Australian Embassy’s Direct Aid Program – during a visit to Central Vietnam on 21 March.

In Ha Tinh, the Australian Embassy will work with the For a Sustainable Life Group to build 10 flood proof shelters and organise training workshops on preventing and responding to severe floods and storms.

Mr Cox said, “The Australian Embassy is pleased to support this important project, designed to assist those Ha Tinh communities exposed to the worst effects of nature’s fury. The project complements the Australian Government’s ten years of work with the Government of Vietnam disaster risk reduction.”

Commenting on the project, Mr Phan Trong Binh, Chairman, For a Sustainable Life Group said: “This is an innovative project with deep significance for Vietnam and Ha Tinh in particular. It targets areas which suffer often from flood damage and the harmful effects of climate change. The shelters provide a much-needed and sustainable form of protection to communities affected every year by flooding.”

Disaster risk reduction is a priority in the climate change adaptation agenda of the Australia – Vietnam Cooperation Development Program. Australian support of around A$30 million since 2001 has supported provision of disaster mitigation infrastructure, community-based disaster risk management, better river-basin management, and integrated disaster risk management planning.

In Ha Tinh, Mr Cox also announced funding for the establishment of a cricket breeding farm in Cam Nhuong commune, a traditional salt making area. The farm, built in collaboration with the Ha Tinh Vocational Training and Peasants Support Centre, will provide an additional source of income to local farmers in the idle period between salt harvests.

Additional projects to be funded in central Vietnam are: (a) vocational training workshops for 105 visually-impaired people with the Nghe An Blind Association, and (b) community workshops and farmer clubs promoting bio-organic farming models in collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry.