December 27, 2018 | 21:22 (GMT+7)
Over 120,000 tons of rice sent as relief to needy localities
The General Department of State Reserve under the Ministry of Finance has provided 120,428 tons of rice worth about VND 1.18 trillion (USD 50.74 million) to needy people in localities nationwide throughout 2018.
Speaking at a press briefing on December 27, Vice Director Le Van Thoi said that the authority has received requests for rice relief aid for the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festival from the Northern mountainous province of Yen Bai (380 tons for 25,354 people), the Central province of Nghe An (1,264 tons for 84,324 people), and the South-Central province of Ninh Thuan (979 tons for 53,152 people).
According to Thoi, each year, about 16 provinces send in requests for rice to help locals ahead of Tet and in between-crop period. The total requested volume is about 12,000 tons for about 1 million people.
He said that rice of the national reserve is always available in all localities and will reach the needy within three days after the Prime Minister issues the decision.
Meanwhile, he reported that about VND 302.35 billion (USD 13 million) worth of various kinds of materials and equipment has been provided to localities in 2018.
Source: VNA