Workshop on the Impact Evaluation of Ho Chi Minh city Poverty Reduction Programme Phase III Report and Multi-Dimensional Poverty

Ho Chi Minh, September 12, 2013, under the project “Support to multi-dimensional poverty reduction in urban settings” supported by UNDP, HCMC Steering Committee for Poverty Reduction held Workshop on the Impact Evaluation of Ho Chi Minh city Poverty Reduction Programme 2009-2015 Report and Multi-Dimensional Poverty.
On behalf of MDRI research team, Dr. Phung Duc Tung had presented the research results. The workshop attracted many research and policymakers in the discussion of urban poverty reduction and multi-dimensional poverty. Based on MDRI survey results of 1000 poor/near poor households in HCMC, the research provides comprehensive analysis of five policy dimensions of HCMC Poverty Reduction Programme including preferential credit support, vocational training and employment, education, healthcare and housing support policy. Among five policy groups, education and healthcare support policies have apparent positive impact on the poor. Education fee exemption policy helps increase poor students’ ability to continue studying while health insurance policy makes healthcare service more affordable for the poor. The report provides insightful inputs for policy dialogue and future formulation of poverty reduction programs in the city in order to improve policy impact and sustain HCMC success in eradicating poverty. The workshop welcomed Mr. Ronaldo Pedron from Brazil who shared Brazil’s experience on applying multi-dimensional poverty index in the country’s policy formulation.