Viet Nam

Extensive deforestation in Viet Nam in recent decades has robbed large tracks of coastline of mangroves. The Red Cross has planted mangrove trees to protect 110 km of the 3,000 km sea dyke that runs along the country’s coastline.

The planting is carried out by local communities and the growers have the right to harvest marine products such as crabs and mussels in the areas which they have planted for a number of years. Now that most of the planting is completed, the Red Cross is focusing its efforts on mangrove maintenance, applying other techniques to inland river dykes and developing new activities to support vulnerable people in the area.

The benefits of the project are staggering. In financial terms alone, the mangrove project proves that preparedness and mitigation pay dividends. The planning and protection of 1,200 hectares of mangroves has cost around $1.1 million USD, but has helped reduce the cost of dyke maintenance by $7.3 million USD per year. The Red Cross also estimates that 7,750 families benefit from additional income selling crabs, shrimps and molluscs as a result of the project.