doi: 10.3850/S1793924012100079

Baseline Assessments, Vulnerability Analysis and Finding Sustainable Livelihood Options: Designing a Climate
Change Adaptation Project in BEN TRE Province, Vietnam

Provash Mondal Humanitarian Program Coordinator, Oxfam in Vietnam, 22 Le Dai Hanh. Ha Noi, Vietnam. pmondal@oxfam.org.uk

ABSTRACT

Ben Tre Province of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam is vulnerable to impacts of Sea Level Rise (SLR), and extreme climate events such as typhoons, tropical depressions, floods and droughts. Sea level rise impacts economic development, livelihoods, health, environment and social issues in Ben Tre directly. To build climate resilience, Oxfam in Vietnam implemented a two-year pilot project in two districts of Ben Tre, which comprised in-depth environmental, social and economic assessments and analyses, piloted livelihood adaptation options, facilitated the transfer of adaptation knowledge, and created a mechanism for coordinating efforts at the province level. The whole process of baseline data collection and activity implementation resulted in the development of new project proposals on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction that have been funded by AusAID and NZ Aid Program. The project team faced number of challenges in understanding the climate change vulnerabilities and identifying the adaptive measures. However, the project created learning opportunities in recognizing the value of combining science with local knowledge, participatory approaches for data collection and planning, partnership with government departments, the promotion of women’s rights and gender equality, the creation of a coordination mechanisms, the importance of linking project and national priorities, and the scalability of the project approach and implementation.

Keywords: Baseline assessments, Vulnerability, Participatory approaches.

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