Deputy PM calls for further support for needy people

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh appealed to individuals and organisations at home and abroad for more substantial actions in support of needy people.

 

Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh speaks at the ceremony

The Deputy PM, who is also head of the National Steering Committee for Sustainable Poverty Reduction made the request at the launch ceremony for the 'Month for the Poor' held by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFF) in Hanoi on October 16.

Deputy PM Ninh affirmed that sustainable poverty reduction is an important factor for maintaining political stability, ensuring national defence and security as well as enhancing socio-economic development.

 

The Party and State have synchronously issued policies and mechanisms in support of impoverished people including improving infrastructure, launching housing programmes, and providing them with vocational training, medical services, and land for production among others, he said.

 

The national poverty rate was reduced to 5.97% in late 2014 from 58% in 1993, he noted.

 

He also highlighted the positive results of the 'Fund for the Poor' launched by the VFF under which millions of social houses have been presented to needy households, and millions of disadvantaged people have been given production supplies, health care, education services and others.

 

The Deputy PM asked relevant ministries, sectors and localities to co-ordinate with the VFF to mobilise non-state sources and donate to the Fund for the Poor to help needy people have a better life.

 

He appreciated and thanked domestic and international benefactors and organisations for their philanthropic activities in support of the poor.

 

The Fund for the Poor raised over VND572 billion (US$25.74 million) in the first nine months of this year. At the launch ceremony, ministries, agencies, enterprises and organisations donated around VND18 billion (US$810,000) to the Fund for the Poor.

 

Vietnam now has over 1.4 million poor households and 1.3 million households near the poverty line.