The Vietnamese government will assist poor families in the central region to build storm shelters.

The policy will be implemented in the 2014-2016 period, and is expected to improve life for thousands of local people.

Each household will be given between VND12 million and VND16 million, depending on their situation.

The households on the list will also be eligible for loans as high as VND15 million with an annual interest rate of 3% over 10 years.

Around 20% of the poor households in the central region will receive the assistance in 2016 and the rest in 2014 and 2015.

Earlier, Construction Ministry submitted a proposal to the government to aid poor households in coastal regions to build solid houses to deal with flooding and storms.

Accordingly, 86,260 poor people in coastal regions from Quang Ninh Province to the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau who are homeless or reside in dilapidated houses will receive VND16 million (USD750.9) for building and repairs.