Water shortage

At the working session (Source: VNA) An Giang (VNA) – Chairman of the An Giang province People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Binh has called for more support from the World Bank (WB) for the locality to implement climate change adaptation and sustainable development projects. During a working session on December 12 with a delegation led by Regional Director for East Asia and Pacific at the WB Benoit Bosquet, Binh said that the six projects of the locality will concentrate on sustainable livelihood for local residents, safe agriculture development, water supply and waste water treatment, and dealing with landslides along coasts and river banks. The projects will be implemented with a total investment of around 172.63 million USD, and priority will be given to the building of a waste water collection and treatment system in Tan Chau town. Binh appreciated the WB’s support for An Giang in implementing sustainable development programmes, saying that … [Read more...] about An Giang calls for WB’s support in sustainable development

Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Paul Jansen visits Mang Canh Kindergarten in Kon Plong district in Kon Tum province (Photo courtesy of Belgian Embassy) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - The Belgian government is placing priority on a number of non-refundable projects in education, public health, water and sanitation in Vietnam, Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Paul Jansen said during a visit to the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum. During the visit from December 11-13, Jansen surveyed the progress of Belgian-funded projects in Kon Tum, Ha Tinh and Nghe An provinces The projects include “Support for Responsive Accountable Local Governance” with a budget of 1 million euros (1.11 million USD) for each province. It aims to strengthen citizen-government engagement as a means of promoting more transparent, accountable and responsive local governance. It also targets improving delivery of public services and increased levels … [Read more...] about Belgium funds projects on governance, education in central region

Adam Ward, Country Representative of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in Vietnam (left) and Kate Bronstein, Research Environmental Engineer from RTI International. Air pollution is a mixture of small particles and gases – some we can see and some we can’t. Vietnam’s major cities are gravely affected by poor air quality; indeed, Hanoi was ranked second worst for air quality in the Southeast Asian region in 2018 by Air Visual. Situation in Vietnam When we talk about air pollution, we are referring to: particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter (PM10), PM2.5, black carbon, nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), and volatile organic carbons (VOCs). Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City regularly exceed the safe World Health Organization (WHO) limit for air pollution such as PM2.5 and PM10. So, what is causing this poor air? This has been attributed to five main drivers, including coal power, heavy industry (such as cement … [Read more...] about Tackling Vietnam’s air pollution

It's understandable that Vietnamese are increasingly concerned about health issues as air and water pollution has become palpable in large cities.  Source: Nielsen survey Vietnamese consumers continued to list health and job security as their top two key concerns in the third quarter (Q3) this year, a survey by Nielsen Vietnam has shown. Health reached a record level across the 10 year history of the survey, with 46% (up two percentage points from Q2) of respondents indicating it as a worry. “As more and more people notice what is happening around them and the impact on themselves and their loved ones, there is greater awareness – and concern – of the longer term effects of our environment and what can be done to improve it,” said Louise Hawley, managing director, Nielsen Vietnam. It's understandable that Vietnamese are increasingly concerned about health issues as air and water pollution has become palpable in large cities. The level of concern … [Read more...] about Despite overall optimism, health remains top concern of VN consumers

PUNTA ARENAS — Chile confirmed on Thursday that a military plane with 38 people aboard crashed in the sea, with no hope of finding survivors. "The condition of the plane wreckage that was found makes it practically impossible that there are survivors from this air accident," Air Force chief Arturo Merino told a news conference in the southern port of Punta Arenas. Merino, flanked by Defense Minister Alberto Espina and other officials, confirmed reports that remains recovered from the sea were "most likely to be body parts of those traveling on the C-130". Parts of the aircraft's landing gear, fuel system, wing and a wheel were among the recovered debris, along with two bags, a backpack and a shoe. Search teams have been combing waters off the southern tip of South America for any sign of the C-130 Hercules transport plane, which disappeared late on Monday. Thirty-eight people -- 21 passengers and 17 crew -- were on board the plane headed to the Eduardo Frei base across the Drake … [Read more...] about Chile says no hope of survivors from missing plane