The Government will strongly and effectively implement national programmes on sustainable poverty reduction and the State will continue prioritising resources to help the cause, he said at the annual charity programme “Joining hands for the poor” held in Hanoi on October 17.
The Party and State have always placed economic development in close connection with poverty reduction and social security, he said. An estimated 20 percent of the State budget is earmarked for investing in and supporting programmes and projects aimed at reducing poverty.
Programmes have helped improve the living conditions of poor people, particularly those in rural, remote, mountainous and ethnic minority-inhabited areas, he said.
However, the PM noted that with great support from organisations, businesses and individuals both inside and outside the country, those in less fortunate positions must also work hard to improve their lives.
The Fund for the Poor has raised more than 9 trillion VND (388 million USD) over the past three years, according to President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man.
This year’s programme raised nearly 900 billion VND for the fund.
In the future, the fund will be used to build 1,000 houses for poor people in a number of localities in border and mountainous areas and those often affected by natural disasters, he said.
The annual programme is also held to honour local and international individuals and organisations which have supported needy people and joined charitable activities and contributed to the Fund for the Poor.
