Resilient Communities & Climates

water and farming in Vietnam
a story for World Water Day

The last decades have seen great progress and development in Vietnam; resting at the eastern edge of mainland Asia, it is the world’s 15th most-populous country. Yet in the remote rural and mountainous areas in the north and northwest of Vietnam, communities remain impoverished, without reliable access to running water or basic sanitation. This already difficult environment is impacted by climate change, which increases the risks of flooding, drought, and the loss of crops and livelihoods; this in turn worsens sanitation and hygiene, and communities that depend on farming to feed their families and provide a small income are still struggling to meet their basic needs. Too many of Vietnam’s citizens, especially those from among its indigenous and ethnic minority communities, are vulnerable and continue to live in poverty. 

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For many years, Week of Compassion, alongside partners through CWS (Church World Service), has been part of water projects in Vietnam – work which will continue for the next several years in an effort to interrupt this cycle of vulnerability. With decades of relationships in the region, this two-pronged initiative is designed to prioritize community mobilization for household and community access to safe quality water, while also working to pilot clean energy and climate-adapted livelihoods. 

This week (March 22) marks the United Nations’ observance of World Water Day, reminding us that “Water can lead us out of a crisis.” Over years of WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programming, responding partners know that women and children are most negatively affected by substandard hygiene and sanitation conditions. Week of Compassion’s partnership with CWS prioritizes women and children in promoting and implementing activities. The project supports improved hygiene and sanitation and increased focus on waste management in schools and communities. 

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Facilitators work with local Women’s Union and schools to mobilize their active involvement and participation. Community awareness-raising activities are designed specifically for different learners, whether adults or children. Critical to the program’s mission and success is the fact that activities are led by community members who expand their own awareness, knowledge, and information-sharing skills during project training sessions to become community motivators and mobilizers. 

In villages prioritized for climate adaptation, the team will work with local agricultural cooperatives and farming families, with an emphasis on women-led or headed households. The project is designed to apply a new technology – renewable energy – to improve their production process of raw materials. Solar agricultural drying houses reduce production cost thanks to savings in labor, time, fuel, etc. compared to traditional drying methods. Raw agriculture materials will be processed and kept longer, the products will be cleaner, and of higher quality. The added product value is expected to lead to an increase in agriculture production and family income. As well as adapting to new climate realities the project will mitigate climate harm through decreased greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the project will build community capacity, knowledge, and skills, through promotion of climate change adapted livelihood practices.

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Given the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts on family income and resilience, these activities are needed now more than ever. As the UN says in their World Water Day recognition: 

When we cooperate on water, we create a positive ripple effect – fostering harmony, generating prosperity and building resilience to shared challenges.
We must act upon the realization that water is not only a resource to be used and competed over – it is a human right, intrinsic to every aspect of life.

With Week of Compassion’s support, eight communities – more than 3,500 people! – will have sustainable WASH improvement and climate adapted livelihoods. This means hopeful futures, exciting opportunities, and ripple effects for individuals, families, and entire communities. 

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