Mobilizing social resources to create livelihoods for the poor

The support Cong received reflects the broader efforts being made across the province to assist poor and near-poor households, as well as families facing difficult circumstances. The Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committees at all levels, together with local authorities, mass organizations, and the community, have been working to provide suitable livelihood opportunities, helping each individual become more proactive and self-reliant in life.

Mobilizing social resources

In implementing social welfare programs, the state budget plays a pivotal role by consistently carrying out policies that support poor and near-poor households as well as families under social policies. Alongside these efforts, Dong Nai Province has placed special emphasis on mobilizing public participation in caring for the people. This approach not only helps to ease the burden on the state budget in assisting those less fortunate but also enables individuals, organizations, and enterprises to demonstrate solidarity and a strong sense of social responsibility toward the community.

Nguyen Thi Thuan, Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai provincial Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, encourages people with disabilities to continue overcoming difficulties and create employment using the supported capital. Photo: Van Truyen

On October 16, the VFF Committee of Dong Nai Province received contributions from businesses participating in the Cervical cancer screening and early detection program, and gave gifts to women in border communes.

Hoang Tien Duc, Director of NTD AI Healthcare Technology JSC, shared that through the coordination of the provincial VFF Committee, the company donated four cervical screening machines and gifts worth more than 1.16 billion VND to support public health activities during the Peak Month for the Poor 2025.

Venerable Thich Buu Chanh, Abbot of Phuoc Son Zen Monastery (Phuoc Tan Ward, Dong Nai Province) said that the monastery contributes annually to funds supporting the poor at all levels. Recently, at the First Congress of the VFF Committee of Phuoc Tan Ward for the 2025 - 2030 term, the monastery donated VND 10 million to the local Fund for the Poor. In addition, the monastery has mobilized monks, followers, and dignitaries to participate in community-based assistance activities in response to the Fatherland Front’s call.

To further mobilize resources for social welfare programs, especially during the Peak Month for the Poor, Nguyen Tan Phu, Vice Chairman of the provincial VFF Committee, said the province is preparing to launch campaigns to raise funds for the Provincial Fund for the Poor and support the construction of schools in border communes. He expressed hope that these efforts will continue to receive strong support from individuals, organizations, and businesses both inside and outside the province.

Innovating activities to support the poor

Along with mobilizing resources to support the poor and disadvantaged groups, the VFF Committees at all levels and their member organizations have focused on innovating approaches and methods of assistance.

According to Ha Anh Dung, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the VFF Committee of Dong Nai Province, social welfare work now requires a strong shift from direct aid to sustainable livelihood creation - including support for start-ups, vocational training, and job creation to help people achieve self-reliance and legitimate prosperity. He emphasized the importance of proactive coordination and diversified social resource mobilization, as well as the application of technology to ensure transparent and effective fundraising. At the same time, efforts should focus not only on material assistance but also on spiritual well-being, ensuring that no one is left behind.

In line with this principle, all 95 commune-and ward-level congresses of the VFF have unanimously agreed to include social welfare and poverty reduction as a key, ongoing mission throughout the term - emphasizing the approach of “giving fishing rods" instead of just giving "fish". This reflects a strong commitment to sustainable poverty alleviation by caring for the poor, policy beneficiary families, and vulnerable groups.

According to Nguyen Thi Hong Tham, Chairwoman of the VFF Committee of Bom Bo Commune, many families in the locality still face economic difficulties. Therefore, one of the commune’s top priorities is to promote the Front’s core role in connecting and mobilizing the community’s strength to support its own people. The commune’s VFF Committee has set a target of building or repairing at least five solidarity houses each year, while ensuring every residential area implements at least one project or initiative to improve residents’ quality of life. The locality has 65% of the working-age population working in agriculture, so the communal VFF will continue to connect well-off farming households to support seedlings, seeds, and techniques to help poor farming families improve their gardens and have stable jobs right in residential areas. ...

According to Nguyen Thi Thuan, Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, providing livelihood capital is one of the association’s key programs aimed at helping victims of Agent Orange find stable employment suited to their abilities. During the Peak Month for the Poor 2025, the association mobilized support for 13 people with disabilities and Agent Orange victims, each receiving non-refundable financial aid ranging from 8 to 23 million VND. However, the recipients are required to use the funds specifically for job creation purposes. The list of beneficiaries will continue to expand in the coming period as the program develops further.

  By Van Truyen- Translated by Thu Cuc, Thu Ha