http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/2006/10/622744/
PM approves investment for poverty reduction by 2010
17:36' 15/10/2006 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - The Prime Minister has approved an investment capital of between VND60 trillion-VND62 trillion for the national poverty reduction programme for the 2006-2010 period, according to the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs.
The investment aims to decrease poverty and reduce the number of poor households to 15 percent from existing 23 percent under new standards of calculation.
Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Minister Nguyen Thi Hang said that besides the State budget, the ministry will mobilise capital sources from domestic and foreign businesses, as well as communities and individuals.
The financial distribution will start in areas with the highest rates of poverty e.g. mountain communities. In addition, the ministry will decentralise management of the programme, increasing power of localities to make citizens actually be involved in all activities of the programme and ensure transparency, the minister said.
Over the past years, the international community has praised Viet Nam for its poverty reduction by effective mobilisation, distribution and use of capital resources.
In the 2001-2005 period, the target for national poverty reduction has accomplished a year ahead of schedule. By the end of 2004 the rate of poor households was 8 percent, according to the former standards of calculation, lower than the target of 10 percent set for 2005.
In the reviewed period, the programme mobilised about VND 41 trillion from the Government, foreign countries and international organisations. Japan, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank were large donors for the programme.
The programme covers eight related sectors and fields, including agriculture, healthcare, education, urban development, electricity, transport and communications, labour and social insurance. This has resulted in a marked improvement in living conditions for the poor.
(Source: VNA)