Reducing rural poverty is one of the highest priorities for the Government and a broad policy framework for Government efforts. The development objective of the proposed Northern Mountains Poverty Reduction Project (NMPRP) is that poor villagers in the northern mountains use a variety of better physical infrastructure and social services to improve their farm production, food security and overall wellbeing. The project would benefit about one million rural poor in about 400 of the poorest communes in six provinces in the northern part of the country (Bac Giang, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Son La and Yen Bai). No adverse impact or resettlement from land acquisition is anticipated in this project. Some minor land acquisition may be required for upgrading and construction of small rural infrastructure such as village roads, irrigation, water supply, health stations and classrooms.
The principle objective of the Policy Framework is to ensure that all project affected persons (PAPs) will be compensated for their losses at replacement cost and provided with rehabilitation measures to assist them to improve, or at least maintain, their pre-project living standards and income earning capacity.
The Policy Framework lays down the principles and objectives, eligibility criteria of PAPs, entitlements, legal and institutional framework, modes of compensation and rehabilitation, peoples participation features and grievances procedures that will guide the compensation, resettlement and rehabilitation of the PAPs.
