Two non-governmental organizations, Bread for the World and Agricultural Development Denmark Asia (ADDA), have pledged to fund $14.4 million for poverty reduction projects in Vietnam from now to 2014. Representatives of the two NGOs and President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Vu Xuan Hong signed an agreement on the aid in Hanoi on May 25, the state-run Vietnam News Agency said. Of the total, Bread for the World will finance $4.8 million for 30 projects on community development, micro-credit and environmental protection. The ADDA will fund the remaining $9.6 million for projects on sustainable agriculture development and legal assistance for the poor in Hanoi, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Phuc, Lai Chau, Son La, Dien Bien, Haiphong, Hoa Binh, Ha Tinh and Nghe An provinces. At the signing ceremony, Hong also granted licenses to the two NGOs to set up their representative offices in Vietnam. Vietnam targets to reduce the number of poor households to less than 9.5% this year, down from 11% in 2009.
