Minister-Chair of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs (CEM) Giang Seo Phu spoke to Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam (Viet Nam Economic Times) about policies that address ethnic people’s real needs.
Recently, many people have described the government’s investment in socio-economic development for disadvantaged communes as a drop in the ocean. How do you respond to that argument?
Over many years, the Government has invested significantly in addressing the plight of ethnic minorities. It has been an important mission of the Government to bridge the gap between ethnic minorities and their majority counterparts.
It goes without saying that our country is not wealthy, but in spite of this the Government has endeavoured to provide a range of programmes to provide a sustainable solution to ethnic poverty.
It is an unfortunate reality that many of our ethnic communities live in very difficult terrain that is prone to harsh weather conditions and natural disasters. These areas are also being affected by extreme weather patterns caused by climate change.
Combining these conditions with outdated means of producing crops and goods – our ethnic populations live very difficult lives. Statistics show that ethnic households are disproportionately poorer than the nation’s average household.
But this has not deterred the Government in supporting ethnic minorities and attempting to bridge the gap.
In the five years between 2006 and 2010, each mountainous commune received VND1 billion (US$47,000) under Programme 135.
Between 2013 and 2015, each hamlet receives VND25 million ($1,100) from the State budget to combat ethnic poverty. This sum is set to increase to VND 1.5 billion per year.
Funding allocated to improving the lives of ethnic minorities proves the significant lengths the Government is prepared to go to help alleviate poverty in our ethnic communities.
Some people believe this isn’t enough and isn’t going to change the lives of ethnic minorities.
In my capacity as CEM Chairman, my colleagues and I have helped to advise the government and work closely with government agencies to develop a road map to increase government funding to Programme 135.
There is fairly unanimous agreement that tailored policies are imperative to addressing disadvantage. In an area where people need clean water, we should help provide them with clean water and help them develop sustainable sources.
Unfortunately, in some localities, projects belonging to the resettlement programme are still far from completion.
In these cases, how can we bring these projects to fruition?
Unfortunately, only 40-50 per cent of the funds allocated have been spent on these projects. As such there are two things we have to do right now.
Firstly, we need to complete the disbursement of funds and complete the projects we have committed to.
Secondly, we need to review and assess our efforts in addressing the needs of our ethnic communities.
Consultation is an important element to addressing poverty. Some programmes have shown that consultation with locals has been an effective way to produce sustainable and beneficial projects, including markets, hospitals, schools and first aid stations.
Whatever approach is adopted in future, the role of the local administration remains pivotal. They know what locals need and they can provide critical knowledge on culture and tradition.
Many ethnic people have complained that they lack arable land and clean water to sustain their livelihoods.
Do you think their needs will be addressed?
The lack of production land and clean water are common problems for many areas inhabited by ethnic minorities, particularly in new resettlement areas.
In my own experience, regarding disadvantaged areas in the northern mountainous region, where the land is sloping and rocky, it is difficult to find suitable production land.
In this situation we have to divide arable land very carefully to ensure that all farmers have land to till. If we still face a land shortage after doing this kind of allocation, local authorities should seek approval from higher authorities to resettle households elsewhere.
I would like to emphasize the important role the local government plays in relocating people to more appropriate land. — VNS
Đăng ký: VietNam News