Dong Thap Province Helps 9,600 Families Escape Poverty

In 2011, Vietnam’s southern province of Dong Thap pulled 9,627 families from poverty, with the number of poor families reduced from 15.73% to 13.25%. Vietnam Government Portal reported that many policies and projects to assist the poor’s medical, educational services and agricultural production have been carried out. As of late December, credit organizations disbursed VND360 billion to lend poor pupils and students, support poor families’ housing, safe water and rural environmental hygiene, and job creation. From 2009 to 2011, during the implementation of a decision by the Prime Minister, the province built 11,118 houses worth VND264 billion for the poor. By 2015, the province will target the reduction of poor families to 5% with the goal of increasing the average income per capita among poor families least 1.6 times compared to 2010. (cpv.org.vn Dec 28)