WB approves US$53 mln to improve urban infrastructure in Lao Cai, Phu Ly

The financing will be added to the Medium Cities Development Project (MCDP), which has so far benefited over 210,000 people, exceeding initial targets. The additional investment will be used to bridge the financial gap caused by exchange rate fluctuations since the project inception.

The MCDP aims to improve infrastructure services, including water treatment and wastewater collection; flooding prevention in low lying areas; transport services in areas with poor and non-existent roads or access to transport networks.

“The Medium Cities Development Project has shown that improved infrastructure services can transform communities – water and sanitation facilities lead to healthier children and families; flood prevention infrastructure provides opportunities to introduce much-needed public space; and better roads bring communities closer to economic opportunities. This additional investment means even more communities will benefit from improved urban environments,” said Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam.

The upgrading of basic infrastructure facilities such as sewer systems and rehabilitated roads have helped 85,000 people in several wards of Lao Cai and Phu Ly cities. Flooding and pollution caused by wastewater have also been addressed through improvements of retention lakes, drainages and sewer system and construction of Wastewater Treatment Plants.