(VNF) - On April 29th, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved more than USD500 million in support for improvements to road and bridge connections as well as flood control and sanitation conditions in Vietnam.

A USD385-million results-based operation called Local Bridge Construction and Road Asset Management will enhance road access and lower road users’ transport costs in participating provinces that include more than 2.5 million people and 800 isolated communities.

It supports parts of the National Strategy on Rural Transport Development, including USD135 million for the rehabilitation of 676 kilometers and maintenance of 48,578 kilometers of local roads in 14 targeted provinces. It also provides USD245.5 million for the reconstruction or construction of 2,174 small bridges to isolated and impoverished communities in 50 provinces across Vietnam under the Local Bridge Construction Component, along with USD4.5 million in technical assistance for project completion.

The results-based operation directly links disbursement of funds to the delivery of verifiable results, including kilometers of roadway that is improved and rehabilitated, and the number or bridges built or rebuilt. It is funded out of the World Bank’s International Development Association.

In addition, the Vinh Phuc Flood Risk and Water Management Project will directly benefit inhabitants in flood-prone areas along the Phan river basin by strengthening flood risk management capacity and improving wastewater management in Vinh Phuc province.

The project will provide flood control infrastructure, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, and strengthen capacity for flood forecasting and prevention, as well as for better use of water resources, thus protecting more than 255,000 residents - 60% in rural areas and 40% in urban areas and small towns, and about 5,720 hectares out of 8,390 frequently flooded hectares from the floods of ten year return period.

Besides, it will also improve sanitation conditions for about 120,000 residents living in four small towns and 33 rural villages, and support the province with the establishment of a flood early warning and emergency response system and a river basin management mechanism.

The USD150 million in funding is from the World Bank Group’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the lending arm for middle-income countries./.

( VNF )