Multidimensional poverty reduction

By multi-dimensional approach, Binh Duong has been successful in basically having no poor households according to provincial new criteria. This success is an important prerequisite for the province to continue the implementation of multidimensional poverty reduction with 5 social services and 10 measurement indicators, and contributes to improving people's livelihood, social security in the 2016-2020 period.

Mr. Dang Minh Hung (8th from right), Deputy Chairman of PPC, awarded merit certificates to collectives and individuals having outstanding achievements in poverty alleviation in 2014- 2015

Typical examples of escaping from poverty

As a remote commune in North Tan Uyen district, people’s life in Lac An commune has gradually changed in terms of materially and spiritually. Mr. Nguyen Van Trung, Chairman of Lac An commune People’s Committee said, implementing PPC’s decision on prescribing criteria for poor, near-poor household and reserving households recently escaping from poverty in 2014- 2015, Lac An commune listed, examine each subject. After checking, in early 2014, the commune had 18 poor and 88 near-poor households. Thanks to local people’s efforts, the coordination between the commune People’s Committee and organizations, benefactors and especially the effort of the Steering Committee, the commune has now no poor households according to provincial new criteria, and only 83 poor households.

Mr. Nguyen Van Duc and his family used to be a poor household. 10 years living with empty hands, his family still hoped to escape from poverty. Thanks to a loan of about VND30 million, Mr. Duc leased a land to grow crop and cattle. His family is better now, his children can go to school and get stable jobs. He said: “Thanks to local government’s support, I was granted a loan to cultivate crops, so my family is better now. I am really grateful to local authorities for helping my family to get rid of poverty”.

Not only helping poor households to take out loans, supporting policies on employment, health care, construction of compassionate houses are also concerned. Vocational training, job introduction have been given by the close cooperation of units, organizations; 816 persons were introduced to stable jobs at enterprises. With the aim to eliminate leaky roofs, the commune has mobilized contributions from organizations, benefactors in order to help households with difficulties in housing. In addition, on major holidays, meaningful gifts are usually handed to the poor.

Basically having no poor households

According to provincial Steering Committee of National Target Program on Poverty Reduction, the province currently has 1,833 poor households, accounting for 0.64%; 3,973 near- poor households, accounting for 1.39% (according to provincial new criteria for poverty reduction, which is 2.5 times higher than the national criteria). Thus, Binh Duong basically has no poor households according to provincial new criteria and completed the National Target Program’s targets.

The Steering Committee has determined to reduce poverty based on multi-dimensional approach, carried out measures to help people to get closer to social services, such as: health, education, housing, clean water and communications. In 2014-2015, provincial authorities helped 40,125 households to take out loans worth totally VND621 billion. Thanks to these loans, poor households have developed their production and business. Some organizations, such as: Women's Union, Farmers’ Union, also mobilize local funds, sponsor workdays, fertilizer, seeds, plants, job introduction… During 2 years, the province built, repaired and presented 446 “Great Unity” houses worth more than VND12 billion to poor households.

Mr. Dang Minh Hung, Deputy Chairman of PPC, confirmed: This success firstly came from rightful policies of the Party, the government and the consensus, solidarity of all people in the province. With humanitarian spirit, all people have joined hands to share with the poor, help them to stabilize their life. Provincial result of poverty reduction in this period is a firm foundation for the province to conduct multidimensional poverty reduction with 5 social services and 10 measurement indicators in the 2016-2020, contributing to improving the living conditions of the people and social security

Reported by Kim Ha – Translated by Ngoc Huynh