After three years of implementation, the Japanese-funded project "Reducing Income- and Health-related Vulnerability of Older Persons” (Project VIE071 ) has shown efficiency in Hoa Binh province, one of its six target localities. Thirty inter-generational self-help clubs (ISHC) were established under the project, helping local elderly well adapt to an aging society.

 

 Dinh Thi Chien (first left), a member of the inter-generational self-help club in Hanh Phuc village, Hoa Son commune, Luong Son district, introducing her family’s model to improve income.

Welcoming a delegation from the Japanese Embassy and sponsors of the Project VIE071, Dinh Thi Chien, a member of the inter-generational self-help club in Hanh Phuc village, Hoa Son commune, Luong Son district, said thanks to the soft loan provided by the club, she has been able to expand her vegetable farm and earn stable income of 4 million VND (over 157 USD) a month.

President of the Hoa Binh Elderly Association Bui Tuan Hai described the clubs as a useful playground where old people have opportunities to take part in various practical events to improve their health and income.

To date, 103 ISHC have been set up in 79 out of the 151 communes, wards and towns, attracting the participation of over 5,200 members, with more than 2,000 of whom able to access concessional loans, he said, adding all of the clubs have built their own funds.

Nguyen Thi Nga, a social support specialist from the World Bank (WB) in Vietnam, said the project was carried out in Hoa Binh, a fast-aging locality, aiming to equip the elderly with necessary self-care skills and those to increase income.

It has provided lessons to expand the model across the province as well as others in the vicinity, she said, adding the WB will continue seeking opportunities and mobilising resources for activities to care for and promote the elderly’s roles.

The World Bank and partners launchedproject earlier this year, aiming to reduce economic and health vulnerability of older persons in Vietnam, under a 2.75-million-USD grant, funded by the Government of Japan throughthe Japan Social Development Fund, administered by the World Bank. Implemented by HelpAge International in collaboration with Association of the Elderly in Vietnam, the project is supporting the scale up of a community-based model for elderly care that promotes economically productive, healthy, and active ageing. It is estimated that 27,000 people in six provinces will benefit from the project’s interventions, 70% of them elderly.

Covering eight areas, the project has directly benefited 11,618 people, organising 80 free consultation and health examination sessions. So far, 96% of the club members have had health insurance cards. The project has mobilised over 80 million VND (3,142 USD) for social security activities, and attracted 310 volunteers to provide home care for nearly 200 people so far.

 


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