The Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFFCC) has launched a “Month for the Poor 2011” from October 17 to November 18.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai

At the launch ceremony in Hanoi on October 14, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said poverty reduction is a major policy of the Party and State aimed at ensuring socio-political stability and sustainable development. He praised the good deeds for the poor performed by people from all walks of life, overseas Vietnamese and international organisations.

Mr Hai emphasised that Vietnam can only achieve poverty reduction goals if it brings into full play the strength of the whole political system and masses as well as support from international friends.

VFFCC Chairman Huynh Dam called on ministries, departments, organisations, individuals, businesses at home and abroad and overseas Vietnamese to support the “Day for the Poor” campaign and social welfare programmes, raise funds for the poor and help those living in disadvantaged areas to escape poverty.

Fourteen organisations and businesses have pledged to contribute to the fund for the poor and other social welfare programmes so far this year with an estimated amount of VND1.7 trillion (USD81.73 million).

Over the past 10 years, the fund for the poor has spent nearly VND5.7 trillion (USD274 million) building nearly 1.12 million houses for the poor and carrying out thousands of social welfare projects across the country.

However, Vietnam still has more than 3 million poor households, accounting for 14.2 percent of the total population and more than 1.6 million of families which are just above the poverty line.