The whole country joins hands for the poor

Over the past three years, under the leadership of the Party, the care from the National Assembly, and joint effort from the entire society and its people, the country has gained significant results in poverty reduction, particularly in the mountainous areas and the living areas of ethnic minority groups, although a lot of difficulties and obstacles still remain.

The average rate of poor households throughout the country in 2016 and 2017 saw a decline of 1.8%, which was higher than the target of 1% - 1.5% set out by the National Assembly. In 2018, eight out of 64 poor districts, which were listed in the Government’s Resolution 30A for rapid and sustainable poverty reduction, escaped from poverty in 2018, while 14 others evaded difficult situations.

At the end of 2018, the nationwide household poverty rate has been brought to below 6%, a reduction of 1.3% against the previous year, while the rate of poor households among ethnic minority groups dropped by 3.06% for the same reviewed period.

These figures have shown that the rate of poverty alleviation has been controlled, the livelihoods of people has been stabilised, and the infrastructure in remote areas has been improved, contributing to ensuring social welfares and facilitating sustainable development.

A number of households in many localities have lodged applications for lifting them from poverty status, showing a positive change in people’s awareness. The applicants have held that the poor and difficult households always receive support from the State; and when they are capable to escape from poverty, they want to share the support with others so that no one is left behind.

At the same time, many community-based models have been set up in localities. These models create means of subsistence for locales, which are built in line with the indigenous cultural identity of each ethnic group, while encouraging the residents to create start ups, and join the value chain, thus helping households to self-help to reduce poverty in a sustainable way.

In addition to poverty alleviation, the Party and State also attach great attention to raising the living quality of the poor, policy beneficiary families, revolutionary contributors, and disadvantaged people.

Localities have mobilised sufficient timely support for those who were hit by natural disasters and floods. In 2018, the Government allocated around 10,000 tonnes of rice for 15 localities to cope with hunger during the beginning of the year and the between-crop period.

With Tet (lunar New Year) festival just around the corner, the localities, political - social organizations, businesses, and benefactors have made donations and presented Tet gifts to the poor, policy beneficiary families, and underprivileged people.

The joint effort made by the entire society in charitable activities in support of the poor has grown stronger, contributing in strengthening the resources to care for the targeted group and promoting the nation’s tradition of unity and solidarity so that no one is left behind. This work of significance reflects Vietnam’s determination and action to realise the United Nations' sustainable development goals.