Vietnam Lowers Child Poverty Rate

Since 2011, Vietnam has lowered the child poverty rate by two% annually, increased vaccination coverage in infants to 90% and continued to provide help to children in difficult circumstances. This was revealed at a consultation workshop on children's rights under the Socio-Economic Development Plan yesterday. Ongoing problems that will be tackled include other issues relating to children living in rural and mountainous regions and those with disabilities. The other major issue is improving maternal health for ethnic minorities. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), more than 80% of children with disabilities cannot go to school - and 75% of mothers from ethnic minorities give birth with no skilled helpers. Jesper Moller, deputy UNICEF representative in Vietnam, said the organization would continue to support child development and protection programs. He said that to meet the targets set for the next five-year cycle, Vietnam would need a robust framework to guide planning and budgeting. He said the Ministry of Planning and Investment would lead the program. Deputy Director of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs' Department of Child Protection and Care, Dang Hoa Nam, recommended the Government consolidate all budget spending for children and produce an annual budget for child programs. Co-organizers of the workshop, the planning and investment ministry and UNICEF, said investing in child development was a moral and economic imperative. (Vietnamnews.vn Oct 10)