Vietnam Danang’s Poverty Reduction Program Produces Positive Results
In the course of implementing the "For the Poor - Leaving No One Behind" movement for the 2021–2025 period launched by the Da Nang Fatherland Front Committee, Son Tra District in Vietnam’s central city of Danang reported that it would achieve and even surpass its poverty reduction targets by the end of 2023.
Local-level authorities and relevant agencies have set clear tasks in line with the policies and solutions identified in the district's plan. Focus has been paid to launching awareness raising campaigns for local residents in combination with related programs and projects in a bid to optimize the use of locally available resources for poverty reduction.
To reduce poverty, Son Tra District has organized meetings with poor families to grasp their needs. Between 2021 and mid-2023, by offering advice on how to run a business successfully, the district has facilitated 9,321 poor households to access bank loans worth over VND618 billion to help them make money from their own businesses. In addition, 41,290 poor people have received free health insurance cards totaling over VND18.2 billion. Furthermore, the district has spent a combined total of VND2.9 billion on building 20 new houses and repairing 138 downgraded ones.
Moreover, monthly allowance worth VND4.5 billion in total has been granted to 2,144 social protection beneficiaries and those who suffer a life-threatening illness. Besides, grants totaling over VND2.5 billion has been provided to 6,606 poor households to help them pay their energy bills. Over VND1.7 billion has been spent on providing financial aid, free medical checkups and treatment, granting scholarships and more for 2,464 eligible individuals.
From 2021 to the first half of 2023, over VND229 billion has been raised from generous donors to help nearly 114,000 poor individuals and households in Son Tra District. As a result, an estimated 2,500 households have been lifted out of poverty, achieving the district’s annual goal set by the municipal government.
Overall, by the end of 2023, the district expects to achieve or even surpass all annual poverty reduction goals set for the 2021–2025 period. Notably, 100% of poor individuals and households in the district have accessed bank loans, and enjoyed benefits from the city’s healthcare, education, and social protection policies. All local poor households have accessed housing and basic social services while all families who have escaped poverty, along with poor and near-poor households have enjoyed exemption from the payment of tuition fees for their children.
Local associations and organizations have developed effective models to help reduce poverty by creating employment opportunities for the poor to help them earn money to improve their living conditions. Included were growing organic vegetables, providing industrial hygiene services, home care, catering, hourly cleaning services, and ornamental plant care services. As a result, these models have created job opportunities for 376 people, of whom, 63 came from poor and near-poor households, with monthly income ranging from VND1.5 to VND5 million, thereby helping their families escape poverty.
Previously, Nai Hien Dong had been the ward with the highest poverty rate in Son Tra District but it has already maximized the use of local resources for poverty reduction. The ward has identified poverty reduction as its key task for the 2021–2025 period, with a focus on calling for cash donations from individuals and organizations to help local families escape poverty in a sustainable manner.
Also, the district has timely honored charity groups, individuals, and philanthropists in recognition of their active support for the poor.
By the end of 2022, the number of poor households in the district had been reduced from 548 to 390 while that of near-poor households had been declined from 481 to 396.
According to Hoang Cong Thanh, the Vice Chairman of the Son Tra District People's Committee, the success in the "For the Poor - Leaving No One Behind" and poverty reduction programs has been attributed to joint efforts of local level authorities, political and social organizations, departments, agencies, plus local residents.
The city's policies supporting very poor and poor households have produced positive outcomes in poverty reduction as these families have enjoyed benefits from these policies to access bank loans, receive vocational training, and get a job, contributing to promoting economic development in Son Tra District, and Da Nang as a whole.