The central province of Binh Dinh has invested more than VND1.6 trillion ($70.5 million) mobilized from different sources in relieving damage caused by natural disasters in late 2016, said Ho Quoc Dung, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee. Accordingly, $52 million from the State budget was allocated to repair dykes and irrigation works. The Government provided the province with VND120 billion ($5.3 million) to overcome flood consequences and VND65 billion ($2.86 million) to exempt local students from school fees in the first semester of 2017, along with 3,000 tons of rice. The province has poured VND27.8 billion ($1.2 million) into rebuilding and repairing more than 700 houses for flood victims, as well as supported 22 fishing boats sunk and damaged by floods with VND1.8 billion. Over 1,500 tons of rice were distributed to local people on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2017 while several irrigation works and canals were repaired ahead of the 2017 crop. Besides, the province will continue directing businesses to actively implement projects, especially those on tourism development, while speeding up the repair of dykes and transport facilities hit by floods and the construction of Phu Cat airport terminal to raise the airport’s capacity. (English.vov.vn Apr 12)
