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The Mekong River is the longest in Southeast Asia. With a length of over 4,300 km, it is longer than the width of Australia, and winds through Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
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the Mekong river |
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the Mekong river supplies farmers with their livelihoods |
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Almost a third of the combined population of the four countries benefit from the flow of the Mekong, supplying farmers with their livelihoods. The Mekong doesn't always promote life; during annual floods, it is capable of transforming and destroying everything and anything in its path. |
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In 2000, the Mekong Delta experienced the worst flooding in over 70 years. In Vietnam alone, these floods claimed the lives of 480 people – more than half of them children. Five million people had their homes flooded, and tens of thousands of families were displaced. The floods also destroyed more than 2,000 schools and 330 medical clinics, seriously limiting the provision of health and education services for 3 months. |
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a classroom partially destroyed in the floods. The high water mark is visible (circled) on the pylon. |
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the school buildings are designed to withstand strong winds |
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Australian Red Cross, Vietnam Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are working in partnership on a major AusAID funded project to reconstruct more than one hundred schools in five Mekong Delta Provinces in Vietnam – Dong Thap, Long An, Kieng Giang, An Giang and Tien Giang. |
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| Over a period of 20 months, close to 250 classrooms are being constructed using 'tried and trusted' safer building design technology. The facilities are being built above historic flood levels and are designed to withstand the high winds. |
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schools are also built above historic flood levels. |
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Official launch of the project held in Dong Thap Province, Mekong Delta on 22 February 2001. Attended by representatives of the participating provinces, Vietnam Red Cross, Federation, AusAID and the Australian Government. |
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The project was officially launched in February 2001 and is due for completion by October 2002. |
