Clean water reaches almost 150,000 in Vietnam, but more help is needed

Jesuit Mission Australia, in partnership with the Vietnam Province of the Society of Jesus, is providing safe, affordable drinking water and hope to thousands of vulnerable families in Central Vietnam.

For many communities in Central Vietnam, access to clean water is a daily struggle. Industrial pollution has contaminated the oceans, wiping out livelihoods in fishing communities, while poor agricultural practices have contaminated freshwater sources. As a result, families are forced to choose between purchasing expensive bottled water or risking their health by drinking unsafe water, leading to serious illnesses such as stomach ulcers, kidney disease and even cancer.

Since 2020, Jesuit Mission has partnered with the Vietnamese Province to install reverse osmosis ultraviolet (RO UV) clean water stations in villages throughout Central Vietnam. These high-tech filtration systems provide sustainable, long-term access to safe drinking water, maintained by local communities.

‘Thanks to our generous supporters in Australia, the Vietnam Water Project has already provided clean water to over 149,000 people. However, with hundreds of thousands still at risk, the need for support remains urgent,’ said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission.

Without reliable access to clean water, entire generations of Central Vietnam families will remain trapped in a cycle of poverty.

In 2025, the Jesuits in Vietnam aim to construct 20 more water stations, reaching an additional 20,000 people across 20 villages.

The impact of these water stations extends beyond just health benefits. In Quang Binh province, 66-year-old Lanh no longer spends half her income on bottled water, allowing her to afford essential food and medicine. While Lanh and her husband once earned a living as rice farmers, he is now unable to work due to illness. They had relied on whatever income their two adult children could send to support them until now.

For young mother Nga, the water station is more than just a source of clean water; it has become a place of connection and support. ‘I love the community spirit and coming together to talk and share experiences with one another,’ she says.