Australia responds to Mekong Delta flood appeal

The Australian Agency for International Development announced today that it will provide A$500,000 in response to an Emergency Appeal that the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) made earlier this month to address current flood issues in the Mekong Delta region. The Emergency Appeal will support the Vietnam Red Cross in assisting 42,000 people who have been affected by the worst flooding to Vietnam’s Mekong Delta in more than a decade.

Since the end of September 2011, floods in the Mekong Delta have swept through the seven provinces of An Giang, Dong Thap, Long An, Can Tho, Vinh Long, Hau Giang and Kien Giang, causing significant losses and damages.

According to the Vietnam Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control, by mid-November 2011, the flood has affected 153,744 houses and over 1,000 schools, causing 85 deaths (of which 72 are children under the age of 16). 10,861 hectares of rice paddy has been lost.

“Australia wants to help people in the Mekong Delta region quickly overcome difficulties caused by the floods”, says Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Allaster Cox. “Australia recognizes the important work of the Vietnam Red Cross in providing much needed assistance to help affected families rebuild their lives and we are pleased to provide additional support so that this can continue during this challenging time.”

The Appeal with the support of Australia’s contribution will assist the Vietnam Red Cross to provide relief and recovery assistance to 10,000 households across An Giang, Dong Thap and Long An provinces. The following activities are expected to be carried out in the coming days:

• Relief distributions of household kits, shelter supplies and cash assistance for 3,000 households;
• Safe drinking water, water storage containers and hygiene promotion for 1,700 households;
• Cash grants for boats and fishing nets for 1,500 households;
• Cash grants to rebuild storm and flood resistant houses equipped with water and sanitation facilities for 200 households;
• Disease prevention and health promotion activities conducted to reduce the immediate health risks of 10,000 families.

Australia’s assistance to the IFRC Appeal will be channelled through the Australian Red Cross.

Contact: Ms Doan Thu Nga, Tel: 84-4-3774 0166, e-mail: [email protected]