More than 1.3 million euros to improve clean water in Bac Kan

More than 1.3 million euros is the total funding that the European Support Fund (European Union) sponsors for the project " Strengthening the capacity of Bac Kan ethnic minorities to access fresh environment and clean water supply "in our country.

This project was conducted by the Vietnam Red Cross in three communes including Cong Bang, Giao Hieu (Pac Nam district) and Cao Thuong (Ba Be district) from 2008 up to now.

The Vietnam Red Cross conducted a workshop to share experiences when conducting this Project in Hanoi on October 28.

Mr. Thomas Janny, Chief Representative of the French Red Cross in Vietnam, who directly ran the project for the past 3 years, said: " Before carrying out this project, there was often a shortage of water for the above three communes. activities in the dry season, many households in the commune do not have toilets or toilets that are not guaranteed to have significant impacts on health and quality of life, therefore, the project focuses on propaganda to raise awareness, especially of the people on environmental sanitation and clean water, the project also provides knowledge on maintenance, maintenance of clean water works and project management, many communication and behavioral change communication classes , the environment for children has been opened to help them change their habits.

Besides, the project also supports people to build many clean water and sanitation facilities. There are 212 self-flowing water works, providing clean water for 569 households, serving 2845 people. Households all have their own taps for use. There are also 22 other pillars serving students, teachers, and other public works .

For families who cannot connect to the water project of the project or build a well, they are provided with a water storage tank with ceramic filter. The project also funded construction of 1022 1-compartment toilets and 2 compartments for 5110 users. As a result, the quality of life and sanitation conditions have been significantly improved.

Mr. Ma Van Chuc, a representative of Giao Hieu commune, Pac Nam district, one of the beneficiary communes, affirmed that: " The project has helped local people to have access to clean water and appropriate sanitation facilities so that the environment The school in the commune was much better than before, another effect from this project was to contribute to changing the habit of confining cattle under the floor of ethnic minority people, now moved away. Through the family, the epidemic has been reduced. "

The sustainability of the project is also ensured by the beneficiaries who also directly implement and maintain the project. They were equipped with initial knowledge and facilities to maintain the project after the project ended. The Vietnam Red Cross, the French Red Cross all believe that this model will be well maintained by the community and can be replicated in other difficult localities .