China.org.cn | May 22, 2020
Reuters:
Affected by the epidemic and economic downturn, will those who have been lifted out of poverty fall into poverty again? This has already happened this year. What do you think of this risk? Thank you.
Liu Yongfu:
As I just mentioned, due to the impact of the epidemic, migrant workers in poverty were stuck in their hometown. In previous years, after the 15th day of the first lunar month, poor people would go out to work, but this year, their work time has been postponed. By the end of February, the number of poor people who left for work only accounted for 40% of last year's total. After two months of efforts in March and April, the ratio rose to 95%, basically reaching the same level as last year. However, the income lost over the past two months cannot be compensated. In addition, the production is damaged. Farmers who resumed production and prepared for spring plowing were faced with the shortage of production supplies. Now that we have addressed the issue, it can be said that throughout the country, the spring plowing among the poor is basically unaffected. What we need to prevent is a backlog of produce. Will it push people into poverty or make people return to poverty? We found that only a small number of people fell into poverty again. The reason is not entirely due to the epidemic; some of them were influenced by disasters and diseases. According to data, this year, the number of people who are prone to return to poverty and those who live on the edge of poverty has increased by 380,000. They have been included in the monitoring and assistance system along with millions of people who had been registered last year. Even if there was no COVID-19, there would still be people returning to poverty, and those on the edge of poverty would become poor. The epidemic becomes a driver for the increase of that number. For example, by the end of last year, 150,000 rural poor people had not met the goal of "free from worries over food and clothing and having access to compulsory education, basic medical services, and safe housing." This year, the number has increased to 340,000. Now, 250,000 people have achieved the goal, and there are still 90,000 people left across the country. We are clear of the number of people who are prone to return to poverty and those who are on the edge of poverty and their situation. Therefore, we will take measures accordingly. For example, if there is a reduction in the number of people leaving home for work, we will create jobs locally. We can make up for not being able to leave home for work by creating opportunities locally for them. The epidemic did exert influence, but we can take measures to counter the fallout. Thank you.