The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) in coordination with the World Bank and UNICEF hosted a seminar on Apr. 9 in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, to share their experiences in implementing programmes to provide money to poor children.

The seminar attracted representatives from eight provinces that have similar programmes, including Lam Dong, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Tra Vinh, Ha Giang and Lao Cai.

According to the organising board, besides sharing their experiences, reviewing and evaluating the implementation of policies related to funding in Vietnam and in particular provinces, they aim to create effective funding programmes for children, which is the main purpose of the seminar.

Participants at the seminar discussed and recommended measures such as ways of identifying programmes’ subjects, updating and managing lists of children in need, specific methods of assistance and the best way of assisting poor children, particularly those from minority ethnic groups.

MOLISA’s Deputy Minister Nguyen Trong Dam said that the ministry has applied many social welfare policies to support poor people in the past, however, they have not been effective enough.

He said overlapping policies, plus shortcomings in implementing processes are among the main reasons for the poor results, which need changing dramatically.

Recently, the Prime Minister ratified a cash aid project for children under 16 with ODA fund in the eight aforementioned provinces for 2013-2015, therefore the seminar should help the province to carry out the project more effectively.-VNA