The poverty rate as of the end of 2013 dipped to 7.6% thanks to Party and State policies for boosting socio-economic development along with the contribution of the whole society. Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Trong Dam says despite economic difficulties, the National Assembly and the Government still promise programs to support the poor. As many as VND24,000 billion has been allocated to poverty reduction programs and the Government is set to carry out a housing program for the poor in spite of a limited budget. As of October 2, the Bank for Social Policies have provided preferential loans for poor households in disadvantaged districts to buy cattle and poultry breeds or develop their crafts. The Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFFCC) said, the Fund for the Poor has received more than VND9,000 billion since 2000 which has helped build and repair more than 1 million houses and provide capital, production materials and medical check-ups for the poor as well as building social welfare projects. VFFCC President Nguyen Thien Nhan affirmed the resource has enabled millions of households escape from poverty thus reinforcing great national unity bloc. Nhan also underlined the necessity to pay greater attention from the whole nation to the poor living in remote, mountainous and island areas. (http://english.vov.vn [1] Oct 18)
