By the end of July this year, the Fund for the Poor has raised more than VND43.8 billion (US$1.9 million).
This was announced at a meeting held in Hanoi on August 7 to prepare for the organisation of the 2019 programme, which is scheduled for October 17 in response to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s call to leave nobody behind.
The money has been used to present gifts, warm clothes and audio-visual equipment and to construct social houses for underprivileged households and poor students across the country.
Addressing the meeting, Politburo member and Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue expressed his sincere thanks to organisations and individuals at home and abroad for their support and donation to the programme.
Deputy PM Hue, who is also head of the Steering Committee for the National Target Programme for 2016-2020, stressed that charity activities have contributed to inspiring and pervading the spirit of compassion and mutual support among the public.
He asked the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee to closely coordinate with the Steering Committee for the National Target Programme to mobilise more resources and effectively utilise the Fund for the Poor.
He suggested using funds from the 2019 programme to construct houses for the poor, particularly for households with family members who have made contributions to the country.
Donations to the Fund should also be used to provide a warm and happy Tet (Lunar New Year festival) for the poor, and present scholarships for disadvantaged students, he added.
