A village on the banks of the Red River in Hà Nội inhabited by low income families. The nation must come together to lend a hand to those in need. - VNS Photo Đoàn Tùng

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has called on the whole nation to work together to help the poor escape poverty ensuring no one is left behind.

The Government will strongly and effectively implement national programmes on sustainable poverty reduction and the State will continue prioritising resources to help the cause, he said at the annual charity programme “Joining hands for the poor” held in Hà Nội yesterday.

The Party and State have always placed economic development in close connection with poverty reduction and social security, he said. An estimated 20 per cent of the State budget is earmarked for investing in and supporting programmes and projects aimed at reducing poverty.

Programmes have helped improve the living conditions of poor people, particularly those in rural, remote, mountainous and ethnic minority-inhabited areas, he said.

However, the PM noted that with great support from organisations, businesses and individuals both inside and outside the country, those in less fortunate positions must also work hard to improve their lives.

The Fund for the Poor has raised more than VNĐ9 trillion (US$388 million) over the past three years, according to President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Trần Thanh Mẫn.

This year’s programme raised nearly VNĐ900 billion for the fund.

In the future, the fund will be used to build 1,000 houses for poor people in a number of localities in border and mountainous areas and those often affected by natural disasters, he said.

The annual programme is also held to honour local and international individuals and organisations which have supported needy people and joined charitable activities and contributed to the Fund for the Poor. — VNS