A total of VND 6.6 trillion (US$314.3 million) was donated by localities, organizations and individuals for the poor at a live TV program held by the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Vietnam Television in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on the eve of the year 2012.
It is a record donation to the Fund for the Poor as it is 16 times more than the total contributions of VND400 billion the fund had got in the previous 11 years.

At the “Circle of Unity for the Poor” event, the 10th of its kind, some valuable items were auctioned for a total of more than VND9 billion ($428,600) in support of the poor.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the program, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said the program has received warm response from the entire political system and foreign and domestic organizations and individuals.

The program reflected the Party and State’s policy on caring for the poor, helping consolidate the national great unity bloc and boost the national construction and development, said the NA leader.

He thanked the sponsors and called on all Vietnamese inside and outside the country to continue contributing to the charity program.

Over the past 11 years, the Fund for the Poor has mobilized more than VND7 trillion ($333 million).

From 2009 to 2011, the fund spent more than VND13 trillion on building and repairing almost 1.13 million houses for the poor and help millions of people get out of poverty.  The deficit was covered by state budget of provinces.

VNA