Andina

Midis: Poverty reduction requires efforts of all Peruvians

09:42 | Lima, Oct. 18.

Peruvian Development and Social Inclusion Minister Jorge Melendez has affirmed that poverty reduction requires the efforts undertaken by all the Inca country's sectors —both public and private— as well as enhancing the rural populations' productive skills.

Remarks were during his participation in the VIII Social Inclusion Week, organized by the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion (Midis), which served to review the progress and challenges comprised in the agenda for the fight against poverty and vulnerability.

"The message is that the participation of all sectors is required in order to defeat poverty," the minister told Andina news agency.

"For us, this is an opportunity to gather experiences from the rural world, which have been implemented in other countries, along with the international cooperation. That enriches us to be able to work on the Strategy for the Permanent Exit from Poverty," he added.

The Government official also said it has been proven small producers can permanently leave poverty behind through various initiatives, including the transformation of their natural resources with added value.

"We have seen local initiatives that come from the Amazonia and the Andean region, which show us that small producers can permanently get out of poverty, but we have to include other elements which are essential; for example, access to drinking water, rural electrification, connectivity and, above all, insurance against natural disasters that occur in the country," Melendez explained.

He also said that Midis has very powerful programs such as Haku Wiñay for the Andean area and Noa Jayatai in the Amazon, to which some changes will be made with the purpose of enhancing them.

These social programs seek to develop productive capacities and rural enterprises that lead to diversifying incomes and improving access to food security for poor rural households in populated centers belonging to the highlands and jungle.

20.5% of Peruvians are currently poor. Thus, President Martin Vizcarra administration's goal is to reduce that figure by 2 percentage points by 2021.

(END) MDV/DTK/MVB

Published: 10/18/2019