This information was released at a press conference held in Hanoi by VFF Central Committee on December 22.

The money has been spent to build 115,972 houses for poor people across the country. In 2009 alone, the VFF Central Committee built 2,517 houses and public projects for people living near borders and on islands.

Also at the conference, VFF Central Committee Ha Thi Lien announced a “Circle of Unity” programme on December 31 which will be attended by Party, State, Government and VFF leaders and representatives from businesses and non-governmental organisations.

At the programme, some valuable products like a Vespa motorbike granted to the Blind Association by State President Nguyen Minh Triet and a gemstone painting of Ha Long, will be auctioned to raise more funds for the poor.

The programme will be broadcast live on VTV3 and HTV9.