VIETNAM — Drought season in southern Vietnam continues to bring increased challenges to already vulnerable households. Impoverished families struggle to not only secure drinking water, but water that is needed for cooking, bathing, and washing clothes.

Samaritan’s Purse recently provided large capacity water tanks to support about 160 households during the months of drought. A village chief in one of the communities where they worked explained that families were previously storing water in clay pots that were dirty and insufficient to hold the large amount of water needed.

The water tank project is creating consistent access to water—something most families in the area have never experienced—and changing lives.

Thach Thi La Dum, Giong Day Village

Ever since I grew up here my family didn’t have clean water. The canal water is very dirty, so we have to scoop it and let it settle before using it.

Huynh Thi Loon, Ray A Village

During the rainy season, I stored water in these clay pots. It was not very hygienic. The water ran out quickly during the dry months, but I did not have enough money to buy a water tank, so I had to use these clay pots.

Thach Loi, Village Lead:

Today I am going with the project team to provide water storage tanks to the households. I am very excited the residents are receiving water tanks for their daily use.

Son Thi So Phanh, Giong Day Village:

Our family is doing better. Now I am happy because we received the large capacity tanks from Samaritan’s Purse. They are helping our community that used to depend on the untreated water taken directly from the canals.

After this project is complete 300 families across multiple villages will be connected to a permanent water source.

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Samaritan’s Purse International Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) program is committed to meeting the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease, and natural disaster. We stand ready to respond at a moment’s notice whenever and wherever disaster strikes. The DART specializes in providing water, food, shelter, and medical care while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

CONTACT: Kaitlyn Lahm, news@samaritan.org

Read more news on Vietnam and the Clean Water Crisis on Missions Box.