Statistics from the People's Committee of Ca Mau province show that in the dry season of 2024, 730 subsidence locations appeared in the whole province of Ca Mau with a total length of more than 19km, with 83 riverside landslide locations.

The cause of landslides and subsidence is not only due to the loss of water counter-pressure on the riverbank but also due to weak geological characteristics, some infrastructure works located near the riverbank, large loads, and deep riverbed.

The natural disaster also damaged 153 houses, flooded 615 hectares of summer-autumn rice, damaged many concrete bridges, electric poles, telecommunication cables, trees, etc. The total property damage caused by natural disasters in Ca Mau is estimated at over 36 billion VND.

In May, Ca Mau became the third province in the Mekong Delta region to declare a level 2 drought emergency in U Minh and Tran Van Thoi districts.

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Women in rural and coastal areas receive support for water storage equipment. Photo: Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee

Climate change with forms such as drought, rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, high tides, etc. has affected livelihoods and severely impacted all aspects of life of people in Ca Mau province.

Among them, children and women are the most vulnerable and affected by natural disasters. To help women in affected areas overcome difficulties, women's associations at all levels have recently mobilized aid sources and implemented solutions and support models to help women prepare to respond to natural disasters in the coming time.

In the first months of 2024, through the review of the functional sector, the whole province of Ca Mau has 2,620 households lacking and not being able to proactively source water for daily use due to drought. An easily recognizable reality is that in rural areas, some households in difficult circumstances when the rainy season comes will lack large-capacity water storage equipment to store water for use in the dry season.

Therefore, when the rains have just stopped and the dry season begins, many households are short of water for drinking, cooking and household activities. If the drought lasts for a long time, the lack of water for these households will become more serious.

In order to support people, including vulnerable groups such as women, women's unions at all levels in the province have made great efforts in association activities and women's movements, being a pioneer organization in action for gender equality.

The Association has carried out many practical activities, building diverse and rich livelihood models to support women in economic development associated with environmental protection. Accordingly, the Provincial Women's Union actively deploys resources, solutions, and models to support women in responding to natural disasters.

In addition to activities and support programs from local Party committees and authorities, models of women's associations at all levels, aid from foreign non-governmental organizations is of great significance in economic and social development and ensuring local security. Among them, there are support resources from the United Nations Organization for Gender Equality in Vietnam.

Through the support resources of foreign non-governmental organizations, the association at all levels has promoted the implementation of sustainable livelihood models. Initial results have solved some immediate problems caused by natural disasters. Not only serving production, women have access to good conditions for health and education.

In the coming time, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Women's Union will continue to seek and mobilize resources to support women in many models of adaptation to climate change. Strengthen propaganda work, equip skills and knowledge for women. Contribute to improving the capacity of natural disaster prevention, adaptation to climate change, and environmental protection. Create the best conditions for women living in coastal areas, places heavily affected by natural disasters and climate change, to have a safe living environment and better livelihoods. Thereby, together with the locality, build new rural areas, civilized urban areas, and sustainably reduce poverty.

Dinh Son