Speaking at a meeting of the Central Steering Committee for Sustainable Poverty Reduction in Hanoi on July 18, the official said policies should be rolled out to support farms and businesses that can generate multiple jobs. According to Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Trong Dam, initial results collected from localities show that the number of poor and near-poor households stands at 15.1%.

In the first six months of this year, about VND10.8 trillion (roughly US$486 million) has been channeled into health insurance coverage and education for the poor, he said. 

Most of localities have allocated capital to communes and districts to implement the national target programme on poverty reduction in 2016, and poured investments in infrastructure construction in communes and districts in extreme difficulties. However, several localities have still lagged behind, he admitted. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dao Quang Thu suggested setting expiration dates for poverty reduction-related policies, creating more livelihoods for the poor and supporting business initiatives. Other delegates underscored the need to adjust relevant policies and empower the poor.