Vietnam has reported 17,700 hungry families in October, with 78,900 starveling people, rising by 17.8% and 18.2% on year, respectively, according to the government’s General Statistics Office (GSO). In Sept, the country recorded 14,900 hungry families, up 25% on month but down 21.8% on year. Most of them are living in northern mountainous provinces, central coastal and central highlands areas that are frequently hit by natural calamities. In the first nine months of this year, the government provided more than 21,600 tons of food and VND24.4 billion ($1.16 million) for famine relief. (GSO Oct Edition)
