Environmental incident compensation in central region mostly completed

As of July 7, Ha Tinh distributed VND1.35 trillion (US$59.3 million) of VND1.59 trillion (US$69.9 million) approved by the provincial People’s Committee.

Meanwhile, Quang Binh disbursed more than VND2.2 trillion (US$96.7 million), 98% of the total advance payment from the central government.

The Ministry of Finance allocated VND970 billion (US$42.6 million) for Quang Tri to compensate affected fishermen. 

The province has disbursed VND904 billion (US$39.7 million) to 16 communes in four coastal districts of Hai Lang, Trieu Phong, Gio Linh and Vinh Linh.

In Thua Thien-Hue province, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Phuong said the province paid VND923.8 billion (US$40.6 million) out of more than VND1 trillion (US$43.9 million) (91.47%) in 28 coastal communes and towns.

The locality aims to complete the compensation before July 15.

The mass fish deaths were first reported on April 6, 2016 when a large number of fish washed ashore in Ha Tinh province. The incident also occurred in Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue.

About 70 tonnes of dead fish were found in the four provinces and Thua Thien-Hue alone reported 35 tonnes of farm-raised fish had died. The pollution affected more than 260,000 people who earn their living from the sea.

In late June 2016, Taiwan-invested Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Limited Company admitted responsibility for the environmental incident, paying VND11.5 trillion (US$500 million) in compensation.