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Social News Headlines 11/2
Minor
earthquake hits Son La province
Tremors
were felt in Thuan Chau District after an earthquake measuring just 2.5 on
the Richter scale hit the northern mountainous
The
National Institute of Geophysics reported that the earthquake occurred at a
depth of approximately 12 km.
According
to experts, the quake caused level III vibrations at the epicenter but it was
still comparatively weak and incapable of causing structural damage.
Highway
coach collision injures seven
Seven
people were seriously injured yesterday morning in an accident on the
The
provincial police said that a coach running from north to south collided with
a container running in the opposite direction, leaving the container driver
and his three companions seriously injured. The coach driver and two other
people also sustained injuries.
US
provides US$800,000 for epidemics prevention
The
The
funds will be used to implement a project entitled “Strengthening Capacity
for the Implementation of One Health in
USAID
Mission Director Joakim Parker said
These
types of emerging health threats accentuate the need by USAID, and its
partners like the United Nations in
The
project contributes to the development of a revised and improved model for
combating avian and pandemic influenza as well as other emerging infectious
diseases, Parker said.
It
will also buttress a national policy of improving dialogue and knowledge sharing
with
HCMC
students want more outdoor activities
Government
authorities last week met with a group of 130 local children who asked the
leaders to take steps to improve education in
The
students, who were chosen to represent their peers, met with members of the
Party, the People's Council, the People's Committee and the Vietnamese
Fatherland Front's central committee.
They
said that the city's children want more outdoor activities, including
specialised clubs where they could develop their talents.
The
student group also asked the leaders to build more playgrounds and offer more
opportunities to learn and practise swimming.
In
another matter, the city's deputy chairman, Hua Ngoc Thuan, said the
Department of Education and Training had been asked to reduce the number of
school hours.
He
said the city was also working on a project that would provide e-books to
primary and secondary schools.
Thuan
said that most city districts were already building playgrounds, including 3D
film projection rooms.
Every
district is expected to have a playground for children by 2015.
Bird
flu outbreak reported in Nam Dinh
The
northern
The
outbreak was spotted at a farm in Giao Ha Commune, where 105 out of 500
poultry had unusual deaths last Tuesday, according to Ninh Van Hieu, head of
the Sub-Department.
The
poultry birds were culled after tests run by the local authorities showed
that they were infected with the A/H5N1 virus.
The
provincial Animal Health Sub-Department has allocated 60,000 doses of
vaccines to Giao Ha Commune and other surrounding localities as part of
measures to combat the disease.
The
Mekong Delta will strive to provide jobs for 371,000 workers, including
110,000 in rural and ethnic minority areas, this year, according to the
Steering Committee for the Southwestern Region.
To
achieve this, regional provinces will invest in building infrastructure to
increase the number of vocational training schools in the region to 11
colleges and 20 secondaries (including two for ethnic minority people) and
add more subjects to training programmes.
They
will also mobilse engineers and skilled workers to train labourers on the
site and create links between enterprises and trade villages.
At the
same time, regional provinces will seek to expand labour export markets,
restore trade villages and promote agricultural services in rural areas to
offer more jobs for workers there.
Additionally,
regional provinces’ Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Department have
signed contracts to provide 6,000 workers for enterprises.
The
provinces in the region have also planned to develop a network of job service
centres, a labour market information database and organise job introduction
activities at districts and communes.
They
will also increase the amount of preferential loans granted to workers in
rural areas, disadvantaged and ethnic minority households who wish to work
abroad.
Avian
flu virus strains under scrutiny
The
Department of Preventive Medicine on February 10 asked relevant agencies to
step up their vigilance in monitoring and responding to any possible avian
influenza outbreak.
Head
of the department Tran Dac Phu said the recent widespread outbreak of the
avian flu A/H5N1 in several localities is very tenuous, and an all-out effort
is needed to contain it. However; fortunately, there have not been any
recorded cases of A/H7N9, A/H10N8 or A/H6N1 in humans or animals.
It
seems likely that the fast moving epidemic originated in
To minimize
the risks, it is imperative that relevant agencies and localities keep a
close watch on the emergence and mutation of new strains to prevent them
entering
Phu
also directed relevant ministries, agencies and local authorities to
coordinate their efforts to raise public awareness and warn people to avoid
eating any poultry of unknown origin.
Ly Kim
Soi, Director of Lang Son Province's Centre for International Health
Quarantine, said there is a possibility that the deadly virus could enter
To
prevent penetration of influenza A/H7N9, the centre has installed remote
thermal scanners, deployed on-duty teams around the clock, established a
temporary clinic staffed with a group of professional doctors and nurses to
treat patients in the event of emergency.
Japan
funds healthcare project in Dien Bien
The
Japanese Government will provide US$455,612 in non-refundable aid to the
second phase of a maternal and infant healthcare project in the northern
mountainous
Under
a contract signed in
It
will help upgrade infrastructure to healthcare centres in the locality,
enhancing locals’ access to free healthcare services and decreasing the
fatality rates of mothers and infants.
Cooperation
between the Japanese Government and Dien Bien has occurred since 2012,
initially in Muong Cha and Tuan Giao districts – home to a high proportion of
poor households.
Currently
residents in many localities in Dien Bien, mostly from ethnic minority
groups, have faced difficulties in accessing healthcare services due to
unqualified medical stations.
World
Vision
No
major labour market fluctuations
According
to
VietnamWorks
reports that labour force supply and demand during the Tet holiday was much
higher in 2012 than in 2013, attributed to Tet falling in January when the
labour market was relatively quiet.
Meanwhile,
the 2013 Tet fell in mid-February, leaving the market a longer period of time
to warm up before the holiday and hence the labour force supply and demand
did not increase as sharply as in 2012.
Market
shifts largely focused on such positions as experienced workers, team leaders
or supervisors in 2012, but managers, CEOs or even graduates and interns in
2013.
Experts
predict the market in 2014 will follow 2013’s trend with the highest demand
for hierarchs.
The
VietnamWorks report indicates that market demands in such industries as
communications, journalism, telecommunications, and advertisement have
doubled or even tripled compared to the pre-Tet period.
The
top ten fields with the highest demand for recruitment after Tet include
communications-journalism-telecommunications-advertisement, health care,
logistics, education and training, consumer products,
administration-consultancy-legal services, retail and wholesale, production,
banking, and technology.
In
2013
Customer
services attracted the largest labour force in 2013. In contrast, popular
sectors – such as advertisement – promotion- foreign relations, sales,
architect, interior design, construction, administration and secretary –
declined in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
In
2013, areas which require soft skills or creativeness like administration -
secretary, advertisement- promotion- foreign relations, architect-interior
design – were thirsty for human resources while techniques and sales had an
abundant labour force.
The
central city of
The
three projects in Hoa Vang and Ngu Hanh Son districts would be completed in
15 months.
This year,
the city also will work to upgrade 900 houses belonging to families receiving
social welfare, in addition to eliminating 300 other dilapidated residences
belonging to poor households.
The
municipal departments of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and Construction
were assigned to finish the upgrade by July 27 –
Viet
Nam-Cambodia bridge near-complete
Construction
of the
Work
on the bridge, connecting southwestern Tay Ninh Province and Cambodia's Prey
Veng and Kampong Cham provinces, began in April 2013 at a cost of US$2.2
million, coming from Tay Ninh's budget.
The
entire project includes the bridge - 77 metres long and 8 metres wide - and a
1.5 kilometre section of road connecting the border areas.
Once
operational, the bridge is expected to contribute to the region's economic
development and cultural growth.
Youth
union launches Tet tree-planting festival
The Ho
Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee on February 9 launched the
2014 Tet tree-planting festival for young people in Chi Linh town, northern
Hai Duong province.
The
launching ceremony, with the participation of 1,500 local Youth Union members
and young people, aims to effectuate late President Ho Chi Minh’s teaching
“For the sake of 10 years’ benefit, we must plant trees; for the sake of 100
years’ benefit, we must cultivate people” and raise public awareness of
environmental protection and climate change response.
First
Secretary of the committee Nguyen Dac Vinh suggested Youth Union branches at
all levels, their members and teenagers nationwide join afforestation and
protecting the environment.
In
response to the festival, the Regent Garment Factory Limited offered 120,000
trees while the Chi Linh town People’s Committee granted 500 million VND
(23,500 USD) to support Tet tree-planting in the locality.
Following
the ceremony, participating delegates planted 83 Sao (Hopea) trees to mark
the 83 rd founding anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and
300 other trees in memory of Chu Van An, a well-known scholar and teacher
during the time of feudalism in Vietnam, at his temple.
The
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has reported that 227,000
hectares of land nationwide were covered with trees in 2013.
Afforestation
and forest protection have become an urgent priority in both the short and
long terms as deforestation and eco-system destruction has made the country
suffer from strong storms and floods in recent years.
UN
backs new rural area construction
PM
Nguyen Tan Dung has ratified the UN-led program which supports the National
Target Program on building new rural areas.
The
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible for realizing
the program funded by some of the UN’s agencies. The Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) would represent the UN.
The
three–year general program was designed to provide high-quality technical
assistance for the building of new rural areas in
The
US$1.39 million program consists of three components including raising
knowledge for producers and rural residents; strengthening capabilities on
policy and strategy making and public investment; regulating, supervising and
assessing the implementation of the National Target Program on building new
rural areas.
Quang
Ngai Disposes 700 A/H5N1 Infected Poultries
Over
700 out of 1,865 inspected poultry was found infected by the A/H5N1 virus in
the Nga Man hamlet on February 7, according to the People’s Committee of Pho
Cuong Commune,
“I
notified the local veterinarian when my ducks started dying,” said breeder
Tran Ngoc Lien. Samples were sent to No. 4 Veterinary Office revealing
infection. The infected ducks were promptly disposed of.
“These
super-weight ducks grow to 2 kg each after 35 days of breeding by Mr. Lien,”
said a veterinarian in Pho Cuong.
From
February 4-7, Pho Cuong experienced 2,500 deaths of poultry in multiple
farms, said Deputy Chairman of Pho Cuong People’s Committee of Quang Ngai
Province Bui Van Chuyen. The veterinary office disposed all of the infected
poultry and vaccinated the remaining 30,000. Local authorities also
pasteurized large areas to prevent spread of infection.
Localities
told to brace for forest fires
The
Steering Committee for Forest Fire Prevention has asked localities in the
southern
Five
districts throughout the province are listed as being under dire threat of
forest fires: Long Thanh, Nhon Trach, Xuan Loc, Tan Phu and Dinh Quan.
Meanwhile, fires have already flared up in many forests in the three
districts of Trang Bom, Thong Nhat and Long Khanh.
In the
southernmost
Prolonged
dry weather and sunshine create drought in forests, attributed as the main
cause of forest fires in the locality.
To
cope with the risk and effectively put out fires if they break out, Dong Nai
and Ca Mau have invested a large amount of money to equip fire fighters and
build water storing zones for extinguishing blazes.
Fire
watch teams and emergency response units have been arranged at forests of the
two localities to keep track of potential forest fire areas and detect fire
outbreaks swiftly, thus stopping them going out of control.
Their
local authorities also focused on teaching local people the procedures they
need to stop fires spreading.
The
management board of the U Minh Ha National Park also banned local people from
starting fires in wooded land areas.-
Action
program against domestic violence approved
The PM
has passed the National Action Program on prevention of domestic violence
through 2020.
The
action program targets to raise awareness of all levels, sectors and the
community on the prevention of domestic violence; gradually reduce the number
of domestic violence cases nationwide.
Under
the National Action Program, communication events and campaigns against
domestic violence will be held annually at national, community and family
levels.
Victims
of domestic violence would receive further support services like medical
check-up and temporary shelters.
Mass
organizations, communities and people are encouraged to join hands to fight
against domestic violence.
A fund
which supports victims of domestic violence would be set up.
According
to a report released at the launch of the Viet Nam Family Year 2013, 178,847
domestic violence cases were recorded between 2009 and June 2012, of which
more than 16,000 cases involving the elders and 23,300 involving children,
with the majority of the rest involving spouses, mostly wives.
Every
third married or divorced person admitted to being a victim of domestic
violence, according to the report, which also mentioned thousands of divorces
have taken place.
Central
Highlands area forests need preserving
Forests
in the
The
figure was provided by the Directorate of Forestry, which is calling for
drastic measures to solve the situation.
Of the
amount, over 107 hectares of natural forests were totally destroyed, it said.
As a
result, the natural forest volume in the central highlands provinces
including Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Lam Dong, now only
accounts for 1.8 million hectares, according to the Directorate's report.
Dak
Lak Province over the past five years discovered over 9,000 cases where
forest protection regulations had been violated, damaging 8,533 hectares of
forests. Meanwhile, nearly 6,000 cases have been reported in Kon Tum.
Serious
deforestation occurred in
According
to Nguyen Thi Tra, from
Nearly
8,000 hectares of forests, consequently, had been eliminated completely, she
added.
Unofficial
statistical data revealed that the Central Highlands so far has granted
licenses to 700 forestry projects, covering an area of 216,000 hectares,
including the 100,000 hectares for rubber plantation.
However,
lack of budget as well as irresponsibility of many project owners paved the
way for serious forest destruction and encroachment.
Insufficiency
of staff is also blamed for the destruction as 56 forestry companies were
assigned to manage up to one million hectares of forests throughout the
region.
Besides,
local authorities' loose management of 1,500 wood processing enterprises is
another cause leading to illegal logging of natural forests.
Gia
Lai Province's Forest Protection Department last week reported 127 areas at
high risk of forest fire while VND5 billion (US$238,000) of budget for fire
prevention and control per year was not sufficient.
Four
forest fires were reported in the province last dry season, which destroyed
411 hectares of pine trees due to the lack of budget for preventing and
fighting fires.
Forest
Management Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
also warned that many forests in Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces were put at
high warning level of fire.
Meanwhile,
the northern mountainous
Safe-food
scheme gets rid of the middleman
For
the last two years, residents of Ha Noi have been able to get safe vegetables
in a novel way: the Ha Noi Safe Vegetables and Food Exchange (HSFX).
Now,
the success of the exchange is prompting organisers to consider expanding it
to
The
HSFX is similar to a securities exchange. However, it is not shares that are
traded, but vegetables.
The
exchange floor was established as a public-private partnership between the Ha
Noi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Viet Nam Green
Products Export and Import Corporation (Vietxan Corp), which connects
suppliers, consumers and distributors. State agricultural agencies decide
which suppliers can trade their products on the floor.
Co-operatives,
production groups, farms, and enterprises that produce safe products must be
subject to regular inspections by the local Department of Agriculture and
Rural Development and certified by relevant authorities in order to be HSFX
suppliers.
On the
private side, Vietxan Corp is in charge of human resources, technology
investment and management.
Nguyen
Thanh Luu, HSFX director, said that the quality and origins of the
commodities traded on the floor were trustworthy because of the strict
supervision by the departments. He added that the public side assisted
suppliers facing difficulties, such as those from remote areas, who receive
funding to help them strengthen their business.
Buyer
members are comprised of all purchasers on the market: exporters,
manufacturers, wholesalers, supermarkets, retailers and consumer groups.
After more than two years of operation, thousands of buyers in both
Every
week, supplier members send product quotations to HSFX for listing on the
trading board. Buyer members select appropriate products and producers to
make orders. Orders are sent automatically to respective supplier members for
preparing and delivering goods to buyer members.
In
addition to ensuring food safety, the exchange gets rid of the middleman,
making prices cheaper. Regular customers often have to buy vegetables at high
prices because there exist too many middlemen, both supplying input materials
and distributing products. As a result, producers have to buy input materials
at a higher price and sell products at a lower price, while the retail price
is very high.
To
provide useful information about the market of safe vegetables and foods in
Ha Noi for producers, consumers and concerned organisations, Ha Noi Safe
Vegetables & Foods Exchange has developed the HAFOODS index, the
first-ever safe food index in
"Our
exchange floor is highly appreciated by international organisations including
the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and a delegation of the Nepalese Ministry of
Agriculture Development. We are also co-operating with the International Fund
for Agricultural Development (IFAD)," said Luu.
Hoi
An to pedal towards eco-city status
The
central city of Hoi An will promote the use of bicycles this year as part of
a plan to build the city into the first eco-city in
Vice
Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Truong Van Bay told Vietnam News
that the city has launched a series of programmes on environmental protection
to be used as tourism attractions.
Further,
the bicycle has been selected as the favourite vehicle for tourists visiting
destinations in the city, suburbs and beaches.
"We
encourage local people to use more environmentally friendly vehicles, such as
bicycles and battery-powered bicycles, and to walk as they carry out their
daily activities in order to keep the city clean and healthy. The city has
gradually limited the use of motorbikes in old quarters, prior to banning
motorbikes in these areas," Bay said, adding that motorbikes are only
permitted for use at lunch time.
"Since
2002, the city has successfully operated a pedestrian street in the old
quarter and hosted Nature Day for the past four years," he says.
According
to Nguyen Van Hien, head of the city's natural resources and environment
office, bicycles are now used by most women and children in the city.
"They
(women and children) prefer riding bicycles to markets and schools, and
around the city downtown. The old quarter is almost quiet with pedestrians
and bikes during the day," Hien said, adding that evening and night time
is only for pedestrians traveling in the old town.
Reiko
Usuda, a Japanese woman who has lived in the city for four years, said the
environmentally friendly vehicle is her daily means of transportation.
"It's
easy to ride on bicycles while touring around the old quarter or buying
something from the market. As the radius from the city's downtown to
destinations is under 5km, bicycle helps save money and provide a healthy
lifestyle," Reiko said.
Most
foreign tourists use bicycles while touring the city, beaches and villages
during their visits to Hoi An city.
The
People's Committee plans to promote bicycle use among public agencies on Car
Free Day in March before boosting their use among local residents.
"Changing
a habit of using motorbikes needs time. The city will target using 100,000
bicycles among local people,"
The
ancient city has been the first city in
It has
also launched an action programme to stop using plastic bags and the 3-R
(reduce, reuse and recycle) programme.
Last
year, this UNESCO-recognised world heritage city debuted its solar power
public lighting system along the city's
Also,
Hoi An has been chosen for the 2013 Townscape Award by the UN-Habitat
Regional Office in
Kien
Giang tackles pollution at major fishing port
The
southern
For
almost a decade,
"11
fishing factories in the area have built waste water treatment systems, but
they are only used when inspections take place," said Quach Chieu Binh,
a Binh An environment official.
Local
people had to endure the sight of black water flowing out from huge drainage
pipes and inhale smoke from the rice husk companies used as fuel, Binh added.
To
deal with the problem, the province has decided to set up teams of inspectors
at Tac Cau fishing port's industrial zone membering officials from Department
of Natural Resources and Environment, the environmental crime investigation
section and the Chau Thanh District Division of natural resources and
environment. The teams will increase patrols and inspections of factories
which are polluting the environment.
Fish
processing facilities which do not meet environmental protection requirements
will be suspended and not allowed to resume operations until they have
resolved the problem.
What
matters more is that factories have to be aware of the problems they have
been causing, and invest in waste treatment equipment to ensure trash and
sewage is treated properly.
The
province also wants to establish a Fishmeal Processing Association while
trying to make sure that fishmeal production is not harmful to the
environment.
Research
for an effective management model of
Source: VNA/VNS/VOV
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Thứ Ba, 11 tháng 2, 2014
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