Gov’t to strengthen poverty reduction efforts
VGP – The Government will continue its poverty reduction efforts in poorest areas in the time to come, reiterated Deputy PM Nguyễn Sinh Hùng at a recent meeting.
Deputy PM Nguyễn Sinh Hùng – Photo: VGP
Việt Nam launched first massive program on poverty reduction in 1998 when the Government approved the first stage of socio-economic development plan for ethnic minorities and mountainous areas (Program 135-I in short).
The second stage of the plan (Program 135-II), carried in 2006-2010 period with total State investment of over VND 14 trillion (US $700 million), was deployed in 1,950 poorest communes in 50 provinces and cities nationwide.
The most remarkable outcome is that the poverty rate dipped to 28.8% in 2010 from 47% in 2006. Average per-capita income of those under the program reaches VND 4.2 million (US $200) per year.
In addition, all the above communes have medical stations and 100% of the local residents can get access to free legal assistance.
“Effective deployment of poverty reduction programs in combination with other social welfare policies during the past five years has contributed to narrowing the gap between regions,” noted Deputy PM Hùng.
He added that the success of the programs and policies was partly attributed to valuable assistance of international sponsors and community.
However, he stressed, the poverty reduction cause in the current 2,082 poor communes with total population of 11 million is a real challenge to the Government and needs long-term policies.
The Deputy PM called for high priorities given to infrastructure development, education, vocational training, and preservation of cultural identities in these communes.
By Hải Minh
