The Tánh Linh area
Tánh Linh is a district of Bình Thuận province, counting 14 communes.
The total area is 21.193 ha. The inhabitants are mostly economic immigrants
coming from poorer regions of Vietnam. Situated at 150km North of Hochiminh
City, they are at the border of the province of Dong Nai. Two decades
ago, the area was a rainforest. Today, the population amounts to approximately
100.000.
The main resources of this region are : paddy, fruit
trees, livestock. The average annual income of the population is estimated
at about 200 US$, well below the national average (440 US$ in 2002).
The reasons for poverty are many: lack of capital, shortage of land
for some, archaic techniques, remoteness from the main markets etc.
As usual, the people turn to the moneylenders who charge very high interest
rate (10% monthly or more). When the need for investment is urgent for
purchasing seeds, fertilizer, fish net, harvest tools etc. it is very
difficult to access enough capital even from moneylenders, which is
the worst situation.
The impact of this poverty on health care and education
is disastrous. Few families have latrines. Water is polluted and the
hygiene standard is notoriously insufficient. A recent survey carried
out by Viêt Nam Plus and the Health Department of the district
showed that 50% of people are infested by worms (the reliability of
these data may be questioned though). The people are easily exposed
to malaria or dengue fever. A quarter of the children do not complete
secondary school, although the population is unusually keen for their
education, as often for the people from the North.
The People's Committee and the Women's Union are competent
and motivated which is a key factor of success to run program in Vietnam.
See data of the area, as well
as the map.The
contract and permit
will expire in 2009. All programs are implemented
in Tánh Linh. The program is still under the responsibility of Viêt
Nam Plus but managed with the assistance of Thiện Chí. It is planned
to be fully handed over to Thiện Chí in early 2005.
