(VOVworld) – On Monday, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung chaired a meeting of the steering committee for the southwestern region and Mekong delta cities to discuss emergency measures to minimize losses and support people affected by climate change.

PM orders no citizen to suffer damages by droughts and saline intrusion

Prime Minister Dung said that as the Mekong delta was facing rising sea waters, droughts and saline intrusion, regional provinces should ensure adequate supply of fresh water for personal use and to prevent epidemics. He said the government will grant 6.8 million USD for the 9 provinces most affected by droughts and saline intrusion. He asked the State Bank of Vietnam to instruct the banking system to provide no-interest loans for disaster affected households.

The Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to update on unusual climate development and work out preparation scenarios. He urged localities and ministries to adjust their development plans to adapt to climate change.

Also that day, in Can Tho city, the Prime Minister attended a conference on implementing policies and laws on scientific development. In his address, the Prime Minister urged provinces in the Mekong River Delta to pay more attention to responding to the Party guidelines and State policies concerning the application and development of science and technology as the foundation for improving local and national competitiveness. He stressed the need to revise policies to promote the application of science and technology and encourage scientists to pursue their research.