On October 4, the delegation of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Action Aid Vietnam (AAV) had a meeting with representatives of Dak Lak Provincial People’s Committee (PPC) on an emergency Project “Restoring food security and livelihoods for vulnerable communities affected by drought in the Central – Central Highlands of Vietnam”. The meeting aims to exchange information and strengthen cooperation in implementing the Project in the coming time. Receiving the delegation were Mr. Y Giang Gry Nie Knong – Vice Chairman of Dak Lak PPC and leaders of Departments, sectors, People’s Committees of Ea Sup, Krong Bong districts.

The emergency Project “Restoring food security and livelihoods for vulnerable communities affected by drought in the Central – Central Highlands of Vietnam” was developed by FAO. The Project will be implemented in Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Gia Lai provinces from October 2016 to May 2017 with the expected cost of VND4.9 billion. Beneficiaries of the Project will include 4,537 households, of which Dak Lak province will have 1,048 households. The Project will focus on providing vouchers to purchase agricultural inputs, unconditional cash transfer and post-harvest facilities for poor households to assist them in restoring livelihoods and overcoming difficulties during time of crop loss. 

Beneficiaries of the Project will reach households seriously affected by drought in 2016, poor households that the monthly income of each member is less than VND700,000 according to standards stipulated by Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs,  multidimensional poverty, households with less than 0.4 hectares of land; unemployment and having no property; female-headed households, single person living with the elderly, the handicapped or people affected by chronic diseases, households which have not received any aids from the Government or other humanitarian organizations. 

Consultant of FAO provides information on the Project at the meeting.

At the meeting, Mr. Giulio Franco – Consultant of FAO said that supporting activities of the Project would be performed through 3 forms (delivering vouchers to buy agricultural materials, delivering cash or delivering vouchers and cash). In addition, FAO would support 3,000 water tanks for farmers to serve their daily activities, he added. After AAV survey, it is expected that the number of beneficiaries in Ea Sup district will be 578 households and those of Krong Bong district will be 470 households. Under the agreement, AAV will directly make surveys of households, work with districts to choose agricultural supplies stores.

Mr. Y Giang Gry Nie Knong – Vice Chairman of Dak Lak PPC concludes the meeting.

Mr. Y Giang Gry Nie Knong – Vice Chairman of Dak Lak PPC highly appreciated FAO’s assistance. Meanwhile, he committed to directing districts to choose households satisfying with criteria of the Project, ensure transparent information aiming to create fairness for beneficiaries. In the coming time, Dak Lak PPC will coordinate with relevant Departments, sectors in supporting procedures to receive the Project, making surveys of agricultural supplies stores and choosing households. Moreover, he expressed his wish that FAO, AAV would support for the provincial funding to improve domestic water in dry areas and provide crops highly adapted to climate change and meeting needs of local people in these areas.