43M Vietnamese Escape from Hunger, Poverty in 15 Years: UNDP

As many as 43 million people in Vietnam had escaped from hunger and poverty in a period of 15 years starting in 1993 thanks to the programs that the Vietnamese government has pursued under the support of foreign countries and organizations, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). With the achievements, Vietnam ranks among few countries making huge progress in hunger elimination and poverty reduction over the past years, Dr. Pratibha Mehta, UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam said at a conference in Hanoi on Sept 21. The result has been made in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) launched by the United Nations. The poverty rate fell to around 5% of the population currently from 58% in 1993. In addition, maternal deaths in childbirth and infant mortality have dropped sharply. The rate of children going to school at school ages now reaches 99%. However, the country is still struggling with HIV transmission, malnutrition, environmental pollution and slow development among ethnic minorities. Results of the MDGs will be presented at the New York-based United Nations this weekend by Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang. To reach stable economic growth, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung once said that the country needs to maintain sustainable poverty reduction. Programs to combat poverty cost Vietnam an estimated VND864 trillion ($41.14 billion) during the 2005-2012 period. (Tin Tuc – News Sept 22 p8, Thoi Bao Kinh Te Viet Nam – Vietnam Economic Times Sept 22 p2)