MOLISA to finalize database on poverty reduction

VGP – The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) is rushing to complete a database on poverty reduction for the fulfillment of the National Goal Program on poverty reduction for 2011-2015 period.

January 18, 2011 7:12 AM GMT+7

Houses was built by national budget for ethnic minority households – Illustration photo

In 2011, the Ministry sets a target to early complete investigation and assessment of poor households and set up a database on poverty reduction. The move is expected to serve for policy making and supervision of poverty reduction in the country.

Especially, poor households and close-to-poor households will be selected through votes at local levels in transparent and fair manner.

The national poverty rate sharply dropped to 9.45% in 2010 from 11.3% in 2009 and 22% in 2005.

However, poverty reduction remains unsustainable, the number of close-to-poor households is relatively high (70-80%), and the ratio of households that are living under poverty criteria remains soaring, according to MOLISA’s Minister Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân.

The National Target Program will give a priority to most disadvantageous and poorest areas including the northern mountainous region, the Central Highlands, the Southwestern region, islands, and regions of ethnic minority groups.

Under PM’s Directive 1752/CT-TTg, dated on September 21, 2010, households are considered poor if family members have monthly per-capital income under VND 500,000 (US $25) in urban areas and under VND 400,000 (US $20) in rural areas/.

By Khánh Phương