Lao Cai seeks measures to optimise poverty reduction aid

From 2013 to October 2017, the northern mountainous province received aid worth nearly 248 billion VND from 24 non-governmental and 123 international organisations, which reduced poverty and boosted development in the locality.

Health care drew the most assistance with 14 projects and more than 50 billion VND, or 32.9 percent of the total support. The projects focused on providing equipment, improving health care staff capacity and service quality, and HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

Addressing the meeting, Dang Xuan Thanh, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee hailed the role of the aid in the province’s poverty reduction efforts.

He noted that poverty ratio of Lao Cai dropped from nearly 43 percent in 2010 to only 12.11 percent in 2015. The percentage of poor households per the multi-dimensional poverty line also fell from 34.3 percent in 2015 to 27.41 percent in 2016 and was estimated at 22.9 percent in 2017.

Meanwhile, Tran Dai Hai, Director of the Lao Cai Department of Foreign Relations acknowledged some obstacles in receiving aid in materials as well as administrative procedures. He pledged that in the future, Lao Cai will design policies to support the operations of its partners.

On the occasion, the provincial People’s Committee presented certificates of merit to collectives and individuals from the embassies and organisations in recognition of their support to the locality.