Strengthening solidarity and supporting ethnic minority communities for shared development.

Việt Nam•20/11/2023

Multifaceted transformation

Duc Linh District comprises 10 communes and 2 towns with 82 villages and neighborhoods. As of the end of 2022, the total population of the district was approximately 127,000 people. The district has 25 ethnic minority groups with 1,071 households/4,254 people, mainly the K'ho and Chau Ro ethnic groups, living concentrated in village 4 (Tra Tan commune), village 7 (Duc Tin commune), and village 9 (Me Pu commune). Following the Provincial Party Committee's directive on establishing sister-village relationships with purely ethnic minority communes and mixed-village areas, the Standing Committee of the Duc Linh District Party Committee identified supporting and assisting ethnic minorities as one of its important tasks. Therefore, the district assigned 12 agencies and units to support and assist 3 mixed-village ethnic minority areas in the district.

Roads in Chau Ro ethnic village, Hamlet 4, Tra Tan commune.

Driven by a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to the villages inhabited by ethnic minorities, the assigned agencies and units have implemented specific measures and actions to support the people's development in all aspects of life. The dissemination of Party guidelines, State policies and laws, and political education and ideological guidance have been intensified with diverse and effective content and forms. Over the past 10 years, in the three villages, agencies and units have organized 56 propaganda campaigns to inform the people about the "peaceful evolution" and subversive plots of hostile forces; and to raise awareness about security and order, traffic safety, drug prevention, school education, environmental pollution reduction, family planning, and gender equality, with the participation of over 7,300 members of youth organizations and the general public.

In addition, coordination with departments, agencies, and localities to implement programs, projects, and policies for ethnic minorities has been given attention, including opening many training courses, providing guidance, and supporting people in accessing and applying scientific and technological advancements in production and livestock farming... aiming to improve efficiency and productivity for economic development. For example, in Hamlet 4 (Tra Tan), training sessions on transferring scientific and technical knowledge on safe vegetable cultivation, raising Sind crossbred cattle, raising calves, vocational training, and support for chicken farming models have been organized. In Hamlet 7 (Duc Tin), over 10 years, 12 classes/398 people have been organized on how to care for breeding cows and goats; and raising chickens for eggs. In Hamlet 9 (Me Pu), 4 training courses have been organized on cattle and chicken farming, asparagus cultivation techniques, and support for high-yield hybrid corn seeds.

Simultaneously, support activities to assist people in building and repairing village buildings and offices, rural and inter-field transportation routes, and supporting the construction of "security lighting" models have been actively implemented by agencies and units. Social welfare and healthcare activities for the people have been regularly carried out. Over the past 10 years, 1,759 gifts worth nearly 840 million VND in cash and in kind (televisions, bicycles, sound systems at cultural centers, etc.) have been donated; support has been provided for the construction of 2 new solidarity houses worth 100 million VND, and 400 man-days of labor have been provided to repair 6 houses damaged by natural disasters. In coordination with medical facilities, free medical examinations, treatment, and medication have been provided to 475 people with a cost of over 50 million VND. Providing support to 132 individuals facing unexpected difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic, with funding totaling tens of millions of VND...

These practical activities have made a significant contribution to poverty reduction in the mixed-habitat ethnic minority villages, leading to a noticeable improvement in the lives of ethnic minorities and a more vibrant rural landscape. It is known that in 2014, the number of poor households in the three ethnic minority villages in Duc Linh was 206 (accounting for 32%), while currently, the number has decreased to 68 households (accounting for 9.4%). Political security and social order in the ethnic minority villages remain stable.

A cultural and artistic performance was held to celebrate the Cultural and Sports Festival of ethnic minority villages in new rural communes in Duc Linh district.

Close ties with ethnic minority communities.

The Duc Linh District Party Committee stated that the living conditions of ethnic minority communities in the district have seen positive changes, most notably in agricultural production, with the application of scientific and technological advancements being widely adopted. However, the poverty rate in mixed-village ethnic minority communities remains high; the education and awareness of some people are still limited, and a few individuals are dependent and rely on support from government agencies. Due to financial constraints, support from agencies and units to these mixed-village communities is limited and inconsistent. This necessitates close adherence to the Party's leadership and the State's administration regarding ethnic affairs, and requires enhanced coordination between district departments and communes with ethnic minority communities during implementation.

In the coming period, the district will continue to promote the dissemination of new policies and guidelines of the Party and State to ethnic minority communities, especially those directly related to their lives and production. It will encourage ethnic minorities to actively participate in production, patriotic emulation movements, and the construction of new rural areas; to participate in crime prevention and combating social evils; and to protect the environment. Duc Linh will collaborate with organizations, vocational training schools, and businesses to organize training, guidance, and transfer of scientific and technical advancements for ethnic minorities to apply to economic development and poverty reduction; support and assist communes in building infrastructure serving people's lives, cultural and sports facilities; and develop and replicate effective models for restructuring crop and livestock production.

At the same time, it is required that Party committees, authorities, the Fatherland Front, and political and social organizations at the grassroots level consolidate and strengthen the political system in ethnic minority areas. Enhance the leadership capacity and fighting strength of grassroots Party organizations; improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state management; with a focus on Party building, developing Party members, Youth Union members, and association members. Timely commendation and rewarding of outstanding individuals and influential figures among ethnic minorities who have made significant contributions to local development. It is required that agencies and units assigned to provide support continue to strengthen propaganda and seriously and effectively implement the contents of the coordination regulations. Innovate the content and methods of operation, strengthen activities focused on the grassroots, stay close to the people, and understand the legitimate aspirations and concerns of ethnic minority communities. This will allow for timely reporting and proposing to Party committees and authorities measures and solutions to address difficulties and grievances arising among ethnic minority communities.

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