Mảng ethnic minority people, in the northern mountainous province of Sơn La, live in simple, makeshift tent-like structures made primarily from bamboo. — VNA/VNS Photo Việt Hoàng

HÀ NỘI — People living in ethnic and mountainous areas have received a boost to improve their living conditions and infrastructure in their communities.

Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang has approved a decision to assist residents reclaim land, improve their houses and build new homes.

It means funds from the state budget will be available to improve living conditions, pave roads, build markets and install water supply facilities.

The assistance is meant to help with the implementation of the national target programme on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the 2021-30 period, in the first phase from 2021 to 2025.

A maximum of VNĐ40 million (nearly US$1,700) from the central budget will be provided for each household to carry out site clearance, prepare housing and land infrastructure, or settlement. A maximum of VNĐ40 million for each household will be provided to build a “three-solid” house (solid ground, solid frame/wall, and solid roofs) in line with local customs, and up to VNĐ22.5 million for each to conduct land reclamation for farming.

The decision also regulates that an average of VNĐ3 billion ($128,000) from the central budget will be given to help build concentrated water supply facilities. The paving of roads towards communes' centre can receive support of about VNĐ1.6 billion for each kilometre, and the construction of a new market can receive financial aid of VNĐ4.4 billion ($186,000), while the upgrading of an existing market will be given some VNĐ800 million.

Meanwhile, local budgets will supply a minimum of VNĐ4 million for each household to carry out site clearance, prepare housing land infrastructure, or settlement. A minimum of VNĐ4 million will be dedicated to building a solid house in line with local customs.

In addition to the aid from the central and local budgets, localities were also requested to mobilise capital from other legal sources for funding the works under the national target programme, according to the decision. — VNS