HO CHI MINH CITY, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Vietnam announced Monday that EU will provide 2 million euros in humanitarian aid to help the country combat ongoing drought and saltwater intrusion.
The funding will focus on addressing the most urgent needs, which include food assistance as well as access to safe water and good hygiene practices.
The ongoing El Nino-induced dry spell has affected 39 of Vietnam's 63 cities and provinces, triggering widespread water shortage and parching vast areas of farmlands in the predominantly agricultural country.
As a result, an estimated 2 million people have been deprived of access to safe drinking water, while 1 million people are in urgent need of food assistance.
