At a meeting of the Central Steering Committee on the eradication of temporary and dilapidated housing on 9/7, the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs reported that 18 provinces and cities have completed the program, while 16 have not.

Nationwide, 264,522 temporary and dilapidated houses have received support, with 229,328 completed and 35,194 under construction. 25,232 more houses need to be built by the end of August, requiring a completion rate of 26 houses per day.

Central and local budgets have allocated 17,800 billion Vietnamese dong (VND), and 113,400 people have contributed over one million working days to the project.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaking on 9/7. Photo: Nhat Bac

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaking on 9/7. Photo: Nhat Bac

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh commended the ministries, local authorities, and benefactors for their efforts in moving the program's completion date from 2030 to 2025. He demanded the nationwide eradication of temporary and dilapidated housing be finished by 31/8. Housing for war veterans, their relatives, and families of martyrs should be completed by 27/7.

The prime minister praised the 18 provinces and cities that have completed the program. For the remaining 16, he instructed the party secretaries and chairpersons to directly oversee the project, emphasizing its importance as a political task reflecting the spirit and responsibility of party members.

"Closely monitor the situation of each household, update data, strengthen inspection and supervision, work for the people and the country with the highest responsibility, and share from the heart," the prime minister said. He requested that localities with remaining substandard housing begin construction immediately to hand over to residents by 15/8.

The budget has been allocated with a full payment plan, and localities should be flexible, "able to advance funds according to regulations". The Ministry of Finance is responsible for quickly processing budget and funding procedures. The State Bank will supervise the disbursement of support funds as committed.

The prime minister called for a spirit of collective contribution: "those who have something to help, help; those who have work to offer, offer work; those who have much, help much; those who have little, help little." He urged leveraging core national values of patriotism, love for one's people, national unity, and compassion. Where necessary, the army, police, youth union members, war veterans associations, and women's groups can be mobilized to participate.

Vu Tuan