Australia pledges to help Vietnam reduce climate change impact

HANOI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Australia pledged to finance a project of 15 million Australian dollars (15.8 million U.S. dollars) for Vietnam to help the country cope with impacts of climate change.

The project, which was launched in capital Hanoi on Thursday, aims at strengthening the management capability of farmers and staff to reduce emission of green house gas, increase rice production in Mekong Delta and central Vietnam.

At the same time, the project will identify practical steps in accordance with the real situation of localities to adapt to climate change.

Australia will help Vietnam to reduce disaster risks, enhance food and water security for about 500,000 people in the most vulnerable group, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Hugh Borrowman said.

Vietnam is one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change, in particular to floods, storms and sea-level rise.

According to the Vietnam's Office of National Target Program to Respond to Climate Change, in 2001-2010 period, Vietnam suffered 9, 500 deaths and missings related to the impacts of climate change. Economic damage was up to 1.5 percent of GDP each year.

To the end of the 21st century, if sea level rises one meter, 5 percent of the country's land, 11 percent of its population and 7 percent of its agricultural land would be affected with the losses estimated at 10 percent of GDP, World Bank forecast. Enditem

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