Milestones in the implementation of ethnic policies in Nghe An

Many meaningful programs

Benefiting from the centralized water supply support policy of Project 1, under the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, Phase I from 2021-2025, the people of Dong Tho village, Tho Son commune (Anh Son district) are delighted. The project, invested by the Anh Son District People's Committee with a budget of 3.1 billion VND, is currently in trial operation.

Ms. Vi Thi Hien, head of Dong Tho village in Tho Son commune, said that the villagers are all happy to have access to clean water, as it reaches their yards and is not only clean but also sufficient for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing. Clean water is not only a joy for ethnic minorities in the highlands as their basic needs are met, but it is also a prerequisite for the socio-economic development of the locality.

Meanwhile, Ms. Vi Thi Loi from Dong Tho village happily shared: “Previously, to have enough water for cooking and washing, I sometimes had to go all the way to the stream to fetch water. In the summer, the shortage of water for daily use became severe, affecting people's lives. Since the clean water project was invested in, water has reached our homes, and the people in the village are very happy; life is more stable.”

Sharing the joy of receiving attention from the Party and the State, dozens of households in Nam Tot village, Tri Le commune (Que Phong district) will soon have access to the national power grid. Mr. Ly Tong Xenh, a respected figure in Nam Tot village, said that the village has 37 households of the Mong ethnic minority. In previous years, the lack of electricity significantly hampered socio-economic development. Now, with the Party and the State creating conditions for the villagers to use the national power grid, the people are extremely happy. Electricity is expected to be connected in June 2024.

“After more than 30 years living without electricity, this summer is the first time the villagers have used the national power grid. With electricity, they will be able to buy televisions, electric fans, lights… to use in their daily lives,” said Mr. Ly Tong Xenh.

Over the years, the Ethnic Affairs Committee of Nghe An province has coordinated with agencies, units, and localities to advise on and effectively implement the state management function in the field of ethnic affairs, and to effectively implement ethnic policies.

Thanks to this, the material and spiritual lives of the people in ethnic minority areas have undergone significant changes. The transportation system in the province continues to be invested in and built; irrigation infrastructure is given attention; the power grid system continues to be upgraded; medical facilities are renovated, gradually meeting the needs of the people for examination and treatment; the school system is invested in and built more spaciously... On average, the poverty rate in the western region decreases by 3-4% per year (in the 30a districts alone, the average decrease has been 6% per year in recent years).

Education and training in the western region have made significant progress. To date, the percentage of schools meeting national standards in the province has reached 61.8%. The rate of ethnic minority students attending school at the appropriate age has been maintained at a high level. Disease prevention, treatment, and public health care have been prioritized. The issuance of health insurance cards to the poor, near-poor, and ethnic minorities has been relatively complete, creating favorable conditions for them to access medical services. The cultural and spiritual lives of ethnic minority communities have also improved significantly.

Implementing numerous key programs and projects.

During the period 2015-2023, the Central Government implemented over 118 direct and indirect policies nationwide, and Nghe An province seriously and effectively carried them out. From 2015 to the present, the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and the socio-economic infrastructure of the province, especially the infrastructure of the western region, using investment resources from Program 135, Program 30a, the new rural development program, and other resources, has created significant changes. The transportation system in the province continues to be invested in and built; irrigation infrastructure receives investment; the power grid system continues to be upgraded; medical facilities are renovated, gradually meeting the needs of the people for examination and treatment; and the school system is invested in and built to be more modern and spacious...

In accordance with Decision No. 1719/QD-TTg dated October 14, 2021, of the Prime Minister approving the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2021-2030 (Phase I from 2021 to 2025), the Ethnic Affairs Committee of Nghe An province regularly coordinates with departments, agencies, and localities to implement ethnic policies and ethnic affairs work promptly, targeting the right beneficiaries and adhering to regulations. Emphasis is placed on effective implementation and timely disbursement of allocated funds under the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

As the advisory and management agency for ethnic affairs in the province, the Provincial Ethnic Affairs Committee has made a significant mark in successfully implementing programs and policies such as: Program 135, Decision 755/QD-TTg, Decision 102/QD-TTg, Decision 2086/QD-TTg... This has fundamentally changed the appearance of rural and mountainous areas in the province, contributing to creating livelihoods and increasing income for ethnic minority communities.

The synchronized and effective implementation of ethnic programs, projects, and policies in the past has served as a foundation, providing valuable experience and favorable conditions for Nghe An province to embark on the implementation of ethnic programs and policies in the coming period.
Mr. Vi Van Son, Head of the Ethnic Affairs Committee of Nghe An province, stated: “In the coming time, the Ethnic Affairs Committee of Nghe An province has proactively advised the Provincial Party Committee to issue a Resolution on the implementation of ethnic policies; actively advised the Provincial People's Committee to develop a specific plan for the National Target Program on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2021-2030, in which the Ethnic Affairs Committee is the Standing Agency and focal point in organizing the implementation of the program. Simultaneously, the Ethnic Affairs Committee will continue to implement key programs and projects to create a “lever” for development in the ethnic minority and mountainous areas of the province: the overall plan for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2021-2030; the National Target Program on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2021-2030...”.