In order to reduce the level of poverty in children, the budget includes a new program according to which, every socially vulnerable family that is below 100,000 ranking points will receive GEL 50 assistance for each child, - Finance Minister Ivane Machavarianis said in parliament on Tuesday while submitting the draft of the 2018 state budget.

He said that according to the World Bank's Human Capital Index survey, the height and weight of children younger than 5 years living in Georgia is significantly lower than in high-income countries.

“Taking this fact into consideration and for reduction of the poverty levels in children, the new program is included in the budget, according to which, every socially vulnerable family that is below 100,000 ranking points will receive GEL 50 assistance for each child, “ the Finance Minister said explaining that it means the socially vulnerable families will receive GEL 20 instead of the current GEL 10 assistance and an additional GEL 30 vouchers for purchasing food products.