A new updated poverty line relevant to modern conditions will be submitted to the Prime Minister this September since the existing line is too low, said Minister of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) Pham Thi Hai Chuyen on April 15. She made the announcement on the final working day of the 10th plenary meeting of the National Assembly Committee for Social Affairs in Ho Chi Minh City. MOLISA Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Hoa reported the poverty rate among households nationwide was cut from 14.2% in 2010 down to 5.8%-6% by the end of 2014. The figure is expected to fall to below 5% in late 2015. The number of low-income families in Vietnam reduces by an average of 2% annually, while the rate in impoverished districts drops by more than 5% yearly, meeting the targets set for 2012-2015. He noted though the poverty rate has decreased sharply in disadvantages districts and ethnic minority communities, it is unsustainable and still exceeds 50% in some localities. Meanwhile, the MOLISA’s poverty elimination program is currently overlapping with the national new-style rural area building program in terms of localities, beneficiaries, and policies, noted Vice Chairman of the NA Committee Do Manh Hung. Minister Chuyen said her ministry will review households struggling with acute diseases, lack of income, or inability to work in order to provide appropriate assistance and ensure sustainable poverty alleviation. The MOLISA will also liaise with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment to examine poverty reduction programs to prevent overlaps as demanded by the Prime Minister, she added. (vietnamplus.vn Apr 15)
