On Sunday, September 22, 2019, the Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) in collaboration with local stakeholders and relevant agencies are organizing the Coastal Cleanup Community Event for a waste-free ocean, in the coastal area of Xuan Thuy National Park, Giao Thuy district, Nam Dinh province.

 From left to right, Ms. Ho Thi Yen Thu – Permanent Deputy Director of MCD, Mr Tran Van Huyen – Vice Chairman of People’s Committee of Giao Hai Commune, officers of MCD and People’s Committee of Giao Hai Commune.

This activity is organized in response to the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), which was initiated over 30 years ago in the United States by the Ocean Conservancy (OC) organization — an international partner of MCD’s. The clean-up is in response to the marine Anti-Plastic Waste Movement launched by the Prime Minister of Vietnam on June 9, 2019.

Ms. Ho Thi Yen Thu – Permanent Deputy Director of MCD inspirational speech inspirational speech and her inspirational speech at the event.

Ms. Ho Thi Yen Thu, Permanent Deputy Director of MCD, says: “The Coastal Cleanup Community Event, which is annually supported by MCD for coastal and island areas in order to attract the participation of coastal communities in protecting and keeping the environment clean and green, thereby raising awareness and responsibility, actively promoting actions of local people in preserving the ecosystems and environment, and minimizing marine waste.”

Numerous officials will be attending the Coastal Cleanup Community Event. Representatives of the Giao Thuy District People’s Committee, the People’s Committee and relevant organizations of the Giao Hai and Giao Xuan communes. In addition, the Xuan Thuy National Park will be involved. Over 200 volunteers, mostly young people, students and local women will participate in the cleanup.

Pupils of Giao Hai secondary school and volunteers participating in the event.

“The situation of plastic waste in Giao Hai fishing area is an urgent problem, causing significant impact on the landscape, environment and people’s lives”, said Mr. Tran Van Huyen, Vice Chairman of People’s Committee of Giao Hai Commune. “The Coastal Cleanup Community Event will efficiently contribute to raising awareness and helping local people to recognize how the familiar coast, which is closely associated with their childhood and livelihood, will look beautiful without the smell of waste, the colour of plastic bags and other health concerns.”  

This activity is taking place within the framework of the project “Comparative pilot waterway municipal plastic waste management practices for reducing marine plastic pollution in Coastal World Biosphere Reserve of Nam Dinh, Vietnam”. This project is funded by US Agency for International Development (USAID), and the component “Promoting zero-waste initiative in Vietnam through Coastal Strongholds”, which is funded by the Pacific Environment Organization (PE). MCD is in charge of coordinating with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE) of Nam Dinh and other local partners. Also, World University Service of Canada (WUSC) has joined hands in mobilizing volunteers from Vietnamese universities, through the MCD Blue lighthouse program.

Event Links: https://www.vir.com.vn/mcd-swings-into-action-for-trash-free-seas-in-nam-dinh-70688.html