Binh Duong increases poverty line by 1.7 times

Binh Duong (VNA) – The southern province of Binh Duong has raised its poverty line to a level 1.7 times higher than that applied in other localities nationwide.

Accordingly, households in rural areas will be considered as poor families if they have a maximum monthly average per capita income of 1.2 million VNDor monthly average per capita income of between 1.2 and 1.6 million VND but yet to access at least three basic social services.

Meanwhile, the respective norms applied for households in urban areas will be 1.4 million VND or 1.4 to 1.8 million VND and no access to at least three basic social services.

The new standards were measured in accordance with the multidimensional approach for 2016-2020 recently approved by the provincial authorities.

With the new poverty line, the province will have about 14,500 poor households and 19,000 near-poor ones, accounting for 5 percent and 7 percent of its population, respectively.

Towards realising its sustainable poverty reduction strategy, Binh Duong plans to earmark 1.18 trillion VND (52.3 million USD) for the work.

Over the past time, the local authorities have taken a series of measures to cut the rate of poor households. As many as 427 billion VND (18.9 million USD) was disbursed for a large number of low-income families to help them expand cultivation and breeding activities, thus improving their income.

According to the Department of Culture and Society under the provincial People’s Council, the rate of local households that have gained access tosocial services such as health care, education, housing and information, remained limited.

The adjustment of the poverty line aims to help locals access more basic services, including health, medical insurance, education for adults and children, housing quality, water resources and hygienic toilets.-VNA