CA MAU – The southernmost province of Ca Mau is spending US$2.9 million on two climate-change projects this year, according to a provincial official.

The projects focus on building sea dykes and embankment systems, stopping saltwater intrusion and restoring mangrove forests.

The funds comprise non-refundable aid from non-governmental organisations in the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands and Japan.

The first $1.3 million project will assess the ability of seven coastal communes in the districts of Tran Van Thoi, U Minh and Phu Tan to adapt to climate change, .

The second, and similar $1.6 million project, will focus the two districts of Nam Can and Ngoc Hien.

Chairman of the Ngoc Hien District People's Committee, Nguyen Truong Giang said Ca Mau province had 250km of coastline and 800km of rivers and canals that were almost below sea level.

"In the last five years, the sea level has risen higher and higher in this district, and only old-style houses with stilts are unaffected," Giang said.

Since the beginning of this year, Ca Mau has received $7.5 million in aid from 11 NGOs to tackle climate change and rising sea levels.

This year, Viet Nam expects to receive $248 million in aid to adapt to climate change from international donors linked to a support programme to respond to climate change.

Funding for the programme has increased from $138 million in 2010 and $142.5 million last year. – VNS