Vietnam has managed to halve the proportion of its population living in abject poverty since 1993.  However, with the recent economic downturn, this nation has once again been challenged and it is the poorest faction that has been the hardest hit.

As Vietnam is a primarily agrarian population, any change in climate or environmental make-up could seriously effect people’s livelihoods.  This is exactly what has taken place in many small communities across the country.  Those who live of of their land are finding it overused, overworked and are barely able to grow enough food to sustain themselves.

Amenities that were formally subsidised by the state-such as seeds and tools, have now been cut back and are only accessible on the market where most cannot afford to purchase them.

ActionAid began working in Vietnam in 1989 and since then has managed to partner with several government ministries and community groups in an effort to contribute to more egalitarian policies and procedures.  By influencing decisions at the governmental level and working through established channels such as funding allocation and public policy, ActionAid is contributing to larger, more effective changes for the good.

ActionAid has also worked in conjunction with the Water Users’ Association to upgrade the canal system that supplies fresh water to more remote areas.  This ensures the water is safe and drinkable and removes the need for inhabitants to fight over water as it is delivered directly to every plot.  An occurance, one inhabitant tells us, that was all too common before this improvement took place.

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