(VOVWORLD) - The Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s biggest producer of seafood, fruits, and rice. Climate change is strongly affecting the region and causing a temperature rise, unusual rain, and serious river bank and coastal erosion. The Voice of Vietnam has been carrying out communications programs to support local authorities and help people mitigate climate change.
 A radio show on saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta. (Photo: VOV) |
Natural disaster and climate change forecasts and warnings have been most effectively delivered by radio over the years.
Dang Van Tung, who lives in Can Tho city, says, “I can hear the forecasts of natural disasters and floods on the radio while driving my car or on the public service address system when I’m at home. Radio broadcasts are quick.”
According to Nguyen Quy Ninh, Office Chief of Can Tho’s Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, the city has been seriously affected by climate change and river bank erosion.
Ninh said that to deal with the impacts, his agency has cooperated with VOV to create programs that help the local people, government, and Party Committee understand the situation and find solutions.
“The radio service has helped to raise public awareness of natural disaster response. We hope VOV will continue to support disaster prevention and search and rescue agencies of all Mekong Delta provinces, particularly Can Tho City, by providing timely, accurate information and advice to mitigate natural disasters,” said Ninh.
Ky Quang Vinh, former Chief of Can Tho's Climate Change Office, said VOV has warned people of natural disasters like droughts, saltwater intrusion, flooding, and cyclones, which have increased in the Mekong Delta in the last 10 years.
“VOV has provided people up-to-date and easy-to-understand information. We hope to continue to get more information from experts and scientists here and abroad to help people mitigate climate change,” said Vinh.
 VOV’s reporters make a fact-finding tour of An Giang province during the flood season in 2018. (Photo: VOV) |
Nguyen Huu Thien, an expert on Mekong Delta ecology, said the Mekong Delta is affected by climate change both in rivers and at sea.
VOV and the region’s radio system have done a good job of warning about floods and river bank and coastal erosion.
It has run many programs about Government resolutions on using natural solutions to ensure sustainable development in the Mekong Delta, Thien said, adding, “Climate change in the Mekong Delta involves a complexity of factors. In recent years, VOV has broadcast many analyses of climate change in the region by scientists and experts.”