Clean water reaches ethnic minority communities.

Thanks to the effective implementation of policies supporting access to clean water for ethnic minority communities, Thai Nguyen province has achieved remarkable results, with over 97% of ethnic minority and mountainous households having access to safe and hygienic drinking water.

The people of Lien Minh commune (Vo Nhai district) are using clean and hygienic water from the National Target Program for socio -economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, giai đoạn 2021-2030.

In Lien Minh commune (Vo Nhai district), where over 82% of the population are ethnic minorities, the shortage of clean water was once a constant worry for the people. Especially during the dry season, low rainfall caused streams to frequently dry up. Poor and near-poor households, unable to afford water tanks, often had to use old barrels to store water. Storing water outdoors for extended periods without lids created numerous hygiene problems, directly impacting the health of the residents.

This situation has changed positively since Project 1 of the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas giai đoạn 2021-2030 (Program 1719) was implemented. The support policies from the Program have helped many households receive assistance with water tanks and reservoirs, benefiting from centralized clean water projects, significantly contributing to ensuring access to clean water.

The story of Ms. Ma Thi Thoi, from Lien Minh commune, is a clear example of this change. Ms. Thoi shared: "Previously, to get water for daily use, my family made our own pipeline by connecting long bamboo poles to bring natural water from the stream to use directly. But there were times when the streams dried up, and my family had to carry containers to a water source very far from home to fetch water."

Currently, with government support, the pipelines have been replaced with plastic pipes fitted with water taps and water tanks have been provided. The family now has a stable supply of clean water and no longer worries about water shortages, especially during the dry season. - Ms. Ma Thi Thoi

Project 1 of Program 1719 focuses on supporting poor ethnic minority households and poor Kinh households living in particularly difficult communes and villages to access safe and hygienic drinking water according to standards. The project concentrates on two main support approaches: decentralized drinking water (prioritizing support for purchasing equipment or constructing water storage tanks for household use) and centralized drinking water through investment in the construction of centralized water facilities, with particular priority given to drought-prone areas, particularly difficult areas, and mountainous regions.

From 2021 to the present, Thai Nguyen province has invested over 93.5 billion VND to support access to clean water for more than 9,510 households and to build 41 centralized water supply projects; and to provide land and housing support for 928 households. These figures reflect Thai Nguyen's determination and continuous efforts to improve living conditions for ethnic minority communities.

Mr. Phan Thanh Ha, Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions , stated: Besides policies supporting economic development for poor and near-poor households and ethnic minority households, investment in and support for centralized and decentralized water supply has been helping people access hygienic water sources. This contributes to improving the quality of life and protecting public health, especially in remote areas and mountainous regions with large ethnic minority populations.

The province has implemented many comprehensive solutions to bring safe and hygienic water to remote areas, mountainous communes, and highland regions with large ethnic minority populations. For areas already equipped with centralized water supply systems, the province prioritizes increasing capacity and expanding the network to its maximum potential, while simultaneously renovating and repairing facilities lacking water treatment systems to ensure water quality. In particular, the province is investing in the construction of new, stable-capacity clean water supply systems for areas without existing facilities, alongside developing mechanisms and policies to attract investment and maximize the effectiveness of these projects after completion.

With over 97% of ethnic minority and mountainous households having access to safe drinking water, Thai Nguyen province is affirming the effectiveness of essential support policies for ethnic minority communities. This success is not only significant in terms of improving living standards but also a clear testament to the profound concern of the Party and State in ensuring social security, achieving sustainable development goals, and building new rural areas in mountainous and highland regions.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202506/nuoc-sach-den-voi-dong-bao-dan-toc-thieu-so-8540630/