Northwestern localities’ disaster adaptation to be improved

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has emphasised the need to implement a project on developing rural areas adaptable to natural disasters in six northwestern provinces.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the session. (Photo: Tran Hai/NDO)
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the session. (Photo: Tran Hai/NDO)

He had a working session on the project with representatives of the targeted northwestern localities, comprising Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Dien Bien, Lai Chau and Son La, in Hanoi on May 7.

With a total investment of VND2.9 trillion (roughly US$129.4 million), the project aims to develop small-scale infrastructure facilities in rural areas in order to raise productivity and agricultural production value sustainably, contributing to comprehensive rural development in the region.

Such facilities are expected to be adaptable to climate change, helping mitigate adverse possible impacts caused by natural disasters in rural areas of these provinces.

Focusing on such areas as irrigation, river and dyke management, and transport, the project will benefit about 420,000 local households.

The project has been developed following the suggestion of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which launched the project on technical cooperation in a number of Vietnamese provinces.

At the working session, PM Phuc said the northwestern provinces still have to face a range of difficulties such as high poverty rate and huge consequences of natural disasters.

He asked relevant ministries and agencies to closely coordinate with the localities to ensure the efficiency of the project.

The Lao Cai province People’s Committee has been assigned as the coordinator of the large-scale project.