On 11th September 2024, the grant award ceremony for 50 disadvantaged households under the project “Enhancing capacity in community-based climate-change adaptive livelihood” took place with full attendance from the families. The project was developed through the collaboration of Saigon Children’s Charity (saigonchildren) and Anh Duong Community Development Support Centre, funded by MiTek.
Climate Change – Challenges and Opportunities for Adaptation
Ms. Nguyen Thi Duy Huong, Programme Manager at saigonchildren, shared: “For over 20 years, saigonchildren has supported families and students in the Mekong Delta through scholarships and school building projects. We have witnessed firsthand the difficulties that climate change brings to the people here. Extreme weather phenomena, such as deep and prolonged salinity intrusion, have affected agricultural productivity, leaving many families struggling. The impact of climate change affects not only the economic life of the region but also has broader social implications. This has driven us to develop this project. We hope that through this initiative, we can help families stabilise their livelihoods with new, climate-change adaptive models, thereby reducing economic barriers for children on their educational journey.”
According to the Institute of Tropical Environment (under the Institute of Military Science and Technology), salinity intrusion in the coastal provinces of the Mekong Delta has become increasingly severe, complex, and difficult to predict in recent years. These phenomena no longer follow previous natural patterns, with saltwater intruding into the main rivers and canals earlier, and extending further inland.*
The issue first became critically serious in 2016, when 600,000 people were left without drinking water, and 160,000 hectares of land were salinised. Research from the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) shows that salinity intrusion now begins 1 to 1.5 months earlier and lasts longer than before, with higher salinity levels at the start of the dry season.*
If the situation continues as it is, experts warns that by 2030, nearly $3 billion could be lost annually in crop damage as saltwater intrusion continues to devastate arable land. Similarly, the Mekong River Commission estimates that the fishery sector could suffer losses of up to $23 billion by 2030, as the effects of drought and salinity intensify.**
The project’s sustainable livelihood models include shrimp-rice farming, pig farming with biogas installation, poultry farming using bio-mattresses, and vegetable cultivation in greenhouses. These models have been successfully tested, are low-cost, and are highly adaptable to the changing climate conditions in the Mekong Delta.
Key Project Activities – Livelihood Training for Disadvantaged Households and Scholarships for Children
The “Enhancing capacity in community-based climate-change adaptive livelihood” project will support 150 households from 2024 to 2027, with the goal of helping 85% of households repay their loans on time and increase their income. In addition to providing capital, the project will organise training sessions for households on climate-change adaptive farming techniques and livelihood management. These training sessions not only introduce new techniques but also strengthen households’ resilience against climate challenges.
The project also focuses on supporting education for children from disadvantaged families. As part of the project, 600 scholarships will be awarded to students facing financial difficulties, helping them continue their education despite the economic challenges posed by climate change. Additionally, workshops on climate change and environmental protection will be held for students, raising awareness and equipping them with the necessary skills to participate in local environmental conservation efforts.
*Source of information: https://moitruong.net.vn/tac-dong-cua-bien-doi-khi-hau-doi-voi-vung-dong-bang-song-cuu-long-56680.html
**Source of information: https://vietnamnews.vn/environment/1656592/mekong-delta-faces-severe-drought-salinity-concerns.html