Vietnam floods on the rise

More than 16,000 homes have been evacuated

By BBC's Clare Arthurs in Vietnam

The residents of Vietnam's southern Mekong Delta are being urged to prepare for another surge in flood waters in the coming week, as the number of dead and homeless continues to rise.

Families believe that just putting some sort of life belt around the waist will keep children from drowning - it does not

UNDP technical adviser Marshall Silver

The Vietnamese Government says 91 people have already been killed this year, 83 of them children.

Although emergency officials say this year's floods are not expected to have the same devastating effect as last year, they are concerned that more children than usual are drowning.

In the next few days, waters which are already three to four metres above emergency flood levels are expected to rise to a second peak. 

Red Cross is trying to educate children to avoid risks of drowning

In the worst hit provinces, which include Dong Thap and An Giang, water levels are up by about four metres (13 feet), causing uncontrolled flooding.

More than 16,000 houses have been evacuated, according to government figures, and more people are waiting to be moved to safety.

However, Red Cross officials believe that they are better prepared after last year's annual floods, the worst in 40 years, killed more than 400 people.

Children at risk

Since last year, throughout the region, roads have been raised, several thousand flood proof homes have been built, and local people have been educated about flood safety. But for many children, it is still not enough.

Red Cross has appealed for boats and fishing gear

Dr Nguyen Thi Hoi , from the Vietnamese Red Cross in Ho Chi Minh City, has been inspecting some of the affected areas. She watched helplessly as a baby was swept away.

"I was watching a woman washing her nine-month old baby," she said, "using only one hand to hold it. She dropped the baby and the water was so fast, by the time she'd jumped in, the baby had gone with the water."

The Red Cross has been teaching children in schools about safety in disasters, including how to use banana palms and other buoyant items, such as plastic bottles, to float. But some parents are putting their children at risk by using the wrong methods.

Urgently needed

Lifevests for children

Communication equipment

Boats and fishing nets

Temporary houses

Water treatment chemicals

"Life vests for children are not working," says Marshall Silver, a technical advisor for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

"The families believe that just putting some sort of life belt around the waist will keep children from drowning. It does not. You need professional life vests which keep the head above water. Those are not available."

The government and aid agencies have been providing flood victims with medical supplies, water purification chemicals, boats and food.

The local authorities say there is still a pressing need for lifevests for children, communication equipment, boats and fishing nets, temporary houses, water treatment chemicals and food.

And with the flood waters expected to remain for several months, the need is likely to continue for some time.