A total of 6.6 trillion VND was donated by localities, organisations and individuals for the poor at a live TV programme held by the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Vietnam Television in Hanoi and HCM City on the eve of the year 2012.

At the “Circle of Unity for the Poor” event, the 10th of its kind, some valuable items were auctioned for a total of more than 9 billion VND in support of the poor.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the programme, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said the programme has received warm response from the entire political system and foreign and domestic organisations and individuals.

The programme reflected the Party and State’s policy on caring for the poor, helping consolidate the national great unity bloc and boost the national construction and development, said the NA leader.

He thanked the sponsors and called on all Vietnamese inside and outside the country to continue contributing to the charity programme.

Over the past 11 years, the Fund for the Poor has mobilized more than 7 trillion VND.

From 2009 to 2011, the fund spent more than 13 trillion VND on building and repairing almost 1.13 million houses for the poor and help millions of people get out of poverty./.