This information was revealed at the launch of the Multi-Dimensional Poverty (MDP) report 2021 in Hanoi on July 28. It was jointly compiled by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the Committee for Ethnic Affairs (CEMA), the General Statistics Office, and the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI).

With the new multi-dimensional poverty line approved last year, the near poor and poor household rate in Vietnam increases from 5.2% in 2020 to 9.35% this year.

According to the report, with the adoption of the national multidimensional poverty line in 2015, Vietnam emerged as a pioneer in the Asia-Pacific region, incorporating multidimensional poverty into the national poverty analysis and targeting. Vietnam has seen progress in multi-dimensional poverty reduction, thanks to the rapid expansion of employment; improvement of social services; and expansion of the social protection system.

However, the persistence of poverty among ethnic minority groups and in coastal, island areas is a challenge for the country in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Covid-19 pandemic was a tremendous setback in the struggle to eliminate poverty.

Addressing the event, Minister-Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs Hau A Lenh said that the adoption of the multi-dimensional poverty approach has supported the development, implementation and measurement of the success of the ethnic minority-related policy.

Lenh said he hopes that the report will point out the shortcomings and main causes of multi-dimensional poverty in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in Vietnam, therefore suggesting effective measures to support the Vietnamese Government to successfully carry out the Master Plan and National Target Programme for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in the 2021-2030 period and other ethnic minority programmes and policies.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan said the report provides detailed analysis of employment and social security services for all people, adding this is seen as an effective solution to maintain the achievement of multidimensional poverty reduction and renewal of the social security system in Vietnam.

UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Kanni Wignaraja highlighted key recommendations for accelerating the reduction of poverty in all dimensions. She also suggested expanding social protection and the use of digitalisation in improving delivery and knowledge industries, enhancing efficacy and transparency as well as promoting innovative solutions to specifically scale-up successful pilots conducted by and with ethnic communities.

President presents Tet gifts to poor households in Da Nang

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited and presented Lunar New Year (Tet) gifts to poor households and workers hit by Covid-19 and Agent Orange/dioxin in the central city of Da Nang on January 16.

Warm Tet for workers and the poor

(BGO) – To help every family enjoy the biggest traditional festival of the year, Tan Yen district (Bac Giang province) has actively launched various programmes to care for impoverished workers and the poor on Tet occasion. After a difficult year with severe impacts of disease, the task is highly focused and implemented earlier.

Bac Giang provincial leaders care for social policy beneficiaries and poor people on Tet occasion

(BGO) – On January 11, Permanent Vice Chairwoman of Bac Giang provincial People’s Council (PPC) Lam Thi Huong Thanh visited to present Tet gift and greeting to wounded soldiers of Bac Giang province who are nursed and treated at Thuan Thanh Nursing Center for Wounded Soldier (Center) in Bac Ninh province.

HCMC plans free smartphones for poor people

Poor residents who cannot afford smartphones should be given one, the HCMC Department of Information and Communications has proposed.

Vietnam Red Cross Society launches campaign to support poor people

The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VNRC) announced on December 31 that it and the Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB Bank) have launched a campaign to help disadvantaged people enjoy a warm and happy Tet (Lunar New Year Festival).

Source: NDO/VNA