The rate of poor ethnic minority households in Vietnam’s central highlands province of Lam Dong has fallen to 18%, down 32% from the period of 2001-2005. The figure was released at a meeting in Da Lat City on August 30 to review the 10-year implementation of Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW on socio-economic development and national defense and security in the central highlands region between 2001 and 2010. Sustainable poverty reduction in Lam Dong has also helped to stabilize the socio-economy, security and the political situation in the Central Highlands. Over the last decade, the province has spent VND87.8 billion to build 14,600 houses for ethnic minority people, accounting for 22% of the province’s population and VND69.4 billion on clean water supply project for 16,600 local households. The province has disbursed VND500 billion from Program 135 for infrastructure development in 49 poor communes of 10 districts. (vietnamplus.vn Aug 31)
