73,900 households in Vietnam struggle with intensifying impacts of drought, saltwater intrusion: UNICEF

The Government of Vietnam has said that 73,900 households (more than 88,000 children) in various provinces are struggling with the intensifying impacts of the drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta, UNICEF reported.

The UN health organization emphasized that the devastating effects of the drought and saltwater intrusion result in limited access to clean drinking water, hindering basic hygiene practices and leading to a higher prevalence of waterborne diseases and skin infections among affected communities, especially women and children.

In response to the government’s request for emergency support, UNICEF Vietnam said that it is mobilizing public and private partners to secure the funding required to provide 17,000 vulnerable households with water storage equipment and ceramic water filters for storing and treating water for drinking and domestic purposes.