A German-funded project has helped the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs improve its social welfare system, according to a group of independent experts presenting a conference in Ha Noi on January 9.

As part of the Viet Nam-Germany development cooperation framework under the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, the project to support Viet Nam’s social welfare services is run by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). It began in March 2012 and will run through February 2015.

The project is designed to improve social welfare offerings for poor, elderly, and disabled individuals through assisting with social welfare-related information management systems, monthly State allowance payments sent through the postal service, and capacity building.

The northern mountainous province of Ha Giang has been selected to pilot monthly State allowance payments through the postal service, which will then be spread across other localities under the Social Assistance System Strengthening Project by the World Bank and the UN Children’s Fund.

Delegates agreed that it will require efforts from all stakeholders to ensure society members can access social welfare services as Viet Nam’s development strides generate community benefits in the coming years.