Over 1,000 Poor Ethnic Minority Families Supported

Over 1,000 poor ethnic minority households were supported with total amount of 13.1 billion VND, under Decision 74/2008/Q?-TTg of the Prime Minister on implementing supporting policies on job creation for poor ethnic minority households in Can Tho. On April 2nd, a review conference on implementing the decision took place in Can Tho. According to the conference, the number of the supported families counted for 72.24%. Of that, 79 households were provided housing land, 10 persons were supported with vocational training, 463 households got new job opportunities, and 502 families were supplied with agricultural equipment. However, local authorities experienced some difficulties during the implementation of the decision. For instance, the land price is higher than the approved support amount, while beneficial households are unable to pay the extra; vocational training takes a long time, making it difficult for target learners to follow because they are the main breadwinners of their families. Mr. Le Hung Dung, Vice Chairman of Can Tho Provincial People’s Committee, said: “In the coming time, the local authorities will focus more on vocational training and providing houses not only for poor ethnic minority households, but poor families in general. Especially, propaganda and education about people’s self-reliance in hunger eradication and poverty reduction will be strengthened.” (qdnd.vn April 3)