Lao Cai Province Supports Socio-Economic Development for Poor Districts

Two years after the implementation of the Government program supporting rapid and sustainable poverty reduction in poor districts, the northern province of Lao Cai has helped thousands of poor families gain adequate housing, given loans worth hundreds of billions of VND, and exported hundreds of laborers, contributing to rapidly reducing the number of poor families. Muong Khuong district has received investment of over VND150 billion. The money has been spent on 43 traffic, irrigation, school, medical station and safe water construction projects, while poor families have also been assisted with seeds, animals, production tools and housing. Meanwhile, Si Ma Cai district has received over VND140 billion, with the number of poor families falling by 6-8% per year, 242 temporary houses replaced, and food supply per capita increasing from 395 kilograms in 2008 to 585 kilograms in 2011. To sustainably reduce poverty, poor districts Lao Cai province plan to improve population distribution and production land planning, create jobs for people, grow crops with good economic value, expand forestation and increase the animal breeding industry. (cpv.org.vn Feb 20)