Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, Feb. 24 (VNA) -- Prime Minister Phan Van Khai pledged VND 15 billion to help earthquake victims in Dien Bien Phu basin while visiting north-western Lai Chau province on Feb. 23.

In making the pledge, the Prime Minister urged the local administration and people to work together to quickly overcome all consequences of the disaster of Feb. 19 that affected nine of Lai Chau's 10 districts and towns and caused losses estimated at more than VND 60 billion.

"This must be an urgent task of the provincial Party Committee and Administration", he told local officials during his fact-finding tour of the quake-stricken areas.

He said the Government would allow Lai Chau to use reserve funds to carry out urgent tasks, with priority given the rebuilding of schools, medical centres and other public facilities.

The Prime Minister called for more effort by all Vietnamese to help the victims stabilize production and their daily lives.

He asked the Construction Ministry to work with Lai Chau to study new housing models as part of efforts to mitigate against natural disaster.

The Prime Minister also asked the Science, Technology and Environment Ministry and relevant research institutes to study the geological structure of Lai Chau and the north-western region so as to help the locals prevent the effects of each tremors as well as ensuring a safe design for the Son La hydro-power project.

This norming, the Prime Minister visited Son La province for an on-the-site inspection of the Muong La district where the proposed power plant will be built.--VNA