Ninh Thuan kicks off Belgium funded project on water resource management

Ninh Thuan authorities have launched a project “Strengthening River Basin Management Capacity through Participatory Irrigation Management in Relation to Climate Change” (PIM) in the presence of Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Jehanne Roccas.

Ninh Thuan authorities on March 22 launched a project “Strengthening River Basin Management Capacity through Participatory Irrigation Management in Relation to Climate Change” (PIM) in the presence of Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Jehanne Roccas.

Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Jehanne Roccas speaks at the ceremony

The PIM was launched under the co-operation programme between Vietnam and Belgium signed in 2011 and to mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the development co-operation between the two countries.

Under the programme, the project is provided with non-refundable aid of EUR1 million from the Belgian Government and a corresponding fund of EUR100,000 from the province.

The project is scheduled for completion in June 2019 and is expected to enhance irrigation capacity for 60,000ha of production land and water supply for residential areas affected by drought.

The Belgian Ambassador also worked with the People's Committee of Ninh Thuan province on projects funded by Belgium in the past few years.

She said that the development and preservation of water resources in Ninh Thuan attracted special attention from Belgium as the province often suffers losses caused by drought. Thus, Ninh Thuan should effectively manage water resources to contribute to hunger eradication and poverty reduction for the locals, she added.

Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Luu Xuan Vinh said that Belgium has assisted Ninh Thuan in carrying out four projects including the Lanh Ra irrigation reservoir; the water supply system for production, daily life and climate change adaptation; and the project on enhancing water resource management, among others.

The PIM will help the province to improve the management of river basins and the operation of the irrigation system, Vinh noted.