Vietnam spent over VND4.8 trillion ($206.9 million) for social security and poverty reduction in the first quarter (Q1) of 2020, according to a recent report of the General Statistics Office. The figure included VND2.9 trillion on gifts for national contributors and others; VND1.3 trillion for the poor; and VND600 billion for starving rescue and other relief. The country also granted over 17.5 million free health insurance for beneficiaries. In Q1, Vietnam recorded 12,400 hungry households, down 56.4% y/y, or 49,700 hungry people, down 52.8%. To tackle the issue, the country has supported 243.3 tons of rice for these households since early 2020. In March, the number of households suffering from food shortage was above 8,600 with 36,300 people, or five-fold compared to last year. Vietnam is targeting to lower the rate of poor households by between one percentage point (ppt) and 1.5 ppts in 2020, from 4% at the end of 2019. The rate is set to decline by three-four ppts among groups of ethnic minorities and four ppts in poor districts/ communes. (QDND [1], Bao Dan Sinh [2])