The Vietnamese Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nov. 26 released a report on new approach to poor Vietnamese children. This new methodology is also part of a cooperation program between the Vietnamese government and UNICEF for the 2006-2009 period. A child is considered to be poor if he/she fails to meet at least two of eight basic requirements, including education, health care, housing, clean water, hygiene, labor safety, entertainment and social welfare.
This means that, if based on the new criteria, Vietnam has around 7 million poor children, or 31% of children in the country.
