Opening ceremony “Pilot demonstration for community-based canals restoration and solid waste management” in Area 3, An Khanh ward”

On October 22, 2022, the Research Institute for Climate Change, Can Tho University (DRAGON-Mekong Institute) and the People's Committee of An Khanh ward collaboratively organized the opening ceremony of a pilot demonstration of community participation in environmental protection and canal flow restoration in the area 3, An Khanh ward, Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho City. The ceremony was implemented under a project on “Community-based canal restoration and solid waste management for improved flood resilience in An Khanh ward, Can Tho City, Vietnam (CFLI - Can Tho)" which is funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI program) and the Institute for Environmental and Social Transformation (ISET).

The ceremony had the participation of Mr. Le Hung Viet, CFLI Program’s Coordinator; Mr. Luu Tan Tai, Deputy Head of Can Tho Environmental Protection, Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Can Tho City; Mr. Vo Thanh Tuan, Chairman of the People's Committee of An Khanh Ward; Mr. Nguyen Hong Son, Permanent Deputy Secretary of Communist Party of An Khanh Ward; Mr. Phan Van Thanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Council of An Khanh Ward, and notably the participation more than 100 attendees from the local associations, unions, and inhabitants in area 3, An Khanh ward. Also in attendance were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Van Pham Dang Tri, Director of the DRAGON-Mekong Institute, and the project team members.

The opening ceremony aims to raise local community awareness and to enhance the role and responsibility for canal sanitation and environmental protection among governmental staff, forces, agencies, and the local people in the area. In addition, group responsible for community-based canal restoration and solid waste management in the area was introduced on this occasion. This community group plays an important role in environmental sanitation and canal restoration, ensuring sustainable achievements after the project’s closure, and building the community’s flood resilience.     

After welcome speeches from representatives of the DRAGON-Mekong Institute, People's Committee of An Khanh Ward, community group, local militia forces, volunteer guards, associations, and social-political units, community members in the area worked together for Ghe Chim canal’s environmental sanitation and flow restoration.

Some pictures from the ceremony as follows:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Van Pham Dang Tri giving the welcome speech

Dr. Dinh Diep Anh Tuan, Research Institute for Climate Change, hands over a pilot flood adaptive trash bin to the representative of the Community Group

 Group photo of the representative participants

The local community worked together for Ghe Chim canal environmental sanitation and flow restoration

Area 3, An Khanh Ward Community location

(News and photos: DRAGON-Mekong)