The Central Highlands province of Lam Dong enjoyed an annual decrease of 7,500 poor households, 2.82 percent on average, in the 2011-2013 period.

Together with national programmes on poverty reduction, the province prioritised investing in upgrading schools and rural roads in ethnic communes with a high poverty rate.

It also conducted programmes to help poor people, especially those belonging to ethnic groups, access loans to develop production, vocational training courses, and healthcare services.

According to the provincial People’s Committee, by the end of 2013, 20 percent of ethnic households are living below or near the poverty line (12 million VND or 564 USD per person per year). About 3,750 households need help to build houses. The rate of households sliding back into poverty was 1.38 percent last year.

In the poverty reduction process, Lam Dong faces several difficulties. Many people decided to separate their family members to benefit from the State’s preferential policies which are applied to poor households.

Meanwhile, the increase in unplanned migration has also slowed down the process and diverted funds to set up entirely new residential areas.-VNA