The donation, made by its government, people and 10 enterprises operating in Vietnam, was handed over to President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan by Thai Ambassador Manopchai Vongphakdi in Hanoi on June 14.Ambassador Manopchai Vongphakdi said Thailand understands the drought and salinity-triggered challenges facing people in Vietnam’s southern region as it is using Mekong River water resources with the region.He noted his country’s willingness to share experience in tackling drought and salinisation with Vietnam given it has also been affected by the disasters.For his part, VFF Central Committee President Nguyen Thien Nhan thanked Thailand and its donors for the relief they delivered.

He told the diplomat that drought and saline intrusion have struck more than 420,000 Vietnamese households and caused about VND6.4 trillion in economic losses over the last ten months.

Over 1.5 million people are suffering water poverty for daily and farming activities, Nhan said, adding the issue is likely to last long in Mekong delta provinces.The VFF has raised funds to provide water tanks and filters for affected families as well as books and clothes for their children.Rice varieties with better tolerance to drought and salinity are being developed in response to the problems, the official noted.