The future of Mekong Delta and its people rely on the well-being of the mangroves. Photos: GIZ in Vietnam

With 720km of coastline, the Mekong Delta of Vietnam is highly prone to the impacts of climate change, sea level rise and natural disasters. It is forecasted that in less than 100 years, nearly half of this nation’s rice bowl could be under water.

Along the coastline, mangrove stands in between the land and the ocean. It acts as a shield to protect the coast, dykes, economies and communities against different natural hazards and extreme weather events such as storm surge, flooding, eroding currents, hurricanes and tsunami. Its root system traps sediment thus helps to strengthen the coastline. It is a rich ecosystem that provides a wide range of services from breeding ground for fish to carbon storage etc. that are crucial for livelihood and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

However, during the past decades, the mangrove in Mekong Delta has shrunk down considerably and, in some parts, even disappeared completely. The reasons are perse, that include erosion, conversion, deforestation, over-exploitation, and climate change.

Recognizing the need to protect and rehabilitate mangrove for a secured future of the Mekong Delta and its people, the Vietnamese Government has formulated a set of strategies and actions. As part of this effort, the Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority (VNDMA) kicks off the mangrove plantation initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in Mekong Delta.

At a launching ceremony on July 20, with support of German Development Cooperation via GIZ, 1,000 mangrove trees were planted in the coastal site of Khanh Binh Tay commune, Tran Van Thoi district, Ca Mau province.

Speaking at the ceremony, Le Van Su – Vice President of Ca Mau People’s Committee confirmed: "I would like to represent Ca Mau People's Committee, Ca Mau provincial Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control & Search, Rescue to warmly respond to the campaign of mangrove planting to protect coastal nourishments in a number of provinces in the Mekong Delta."

Dr. Tim McGrath - Programme Director of GIZ affirmed: “Combining mangrove regeneration and coastal protection measures to obtain comprehensive and effective solutions for protection of coastal areas is important. This is also a priority of German Development Cooperation to contribute to the protection and development of mangrove to mitigate natural disaster risks as well as to ensure the safe life of people.”