Staying united to overcome flood aftermaths

The devastating floods have left heartbreaking numbers: 98 people dead, 10 still missing, hundreds of thousands of homes submerged, many construction projects and transportation routes severely damaged, with estimated losses exceeding 14.3 trillion VND, placing the Central-Central Highlands region in the situation of immense difficulties.

Delegation of medical staff and doctors from Dong Nai province examine and provide free medicine to people in Son Thanh commune, Dak Lak province. Photo: Cong Nghia

However, in times of hardship, human kindness shines through. Sharing hands, compassionate hearts have become a source of support, igniting hope for people to overcome challenges together.

Reporters from Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television had an exchange with comrade HA ANH DUNG, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of Dong Nai province on this issue.

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Comrade Ha Anh Dung, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the VFF Committee of Dong Nai province. Photo: Le Quyen

* In your opinion, from the perspective of the Fatherland Front, what are the biggest difficulties that people in the Central-Central Highlands are facing after this natural disaster, especially regarding livelihoods and rebuilding lives?

First of all, I sincerely extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and sympathize with the extremely difficult circumstances that our compatriots in the areas affected by successive natural disasters and floods, who are suffering immense material and spiritual losses. This natural disaster will certainly require a lot of time and resources to help the Central-Central Highlands provinces overcome the consequences and rebuild the lives of the people.

It can be seen that there are very significant impacts on people's lives:

Firstly, the livelihoods of the people are severely affected. Prolonged floods have swept away assets, livestock, poultry, and aquatic products; crops and fields are submerged, with risks of landslides and rockfalls burying fields and gardens; many small production facilities of the people are paralyzed; many households have lost almost everything, no longer having tools for labor, means of livelihood, or sources of income to start over.

Secondly, rebuilding lives faces countless challenges. Hundreds of thousands of houses are deeply submerged and severely damaged; many essential infrastructure facilities such as roads, schools, electricity and water systems in some areas cannot be immediately restored; environmental sanitation, diseases, living conditions, healthcare, especially for the elderly and children, are still very inadequate; greatly affecting teaching and learning...

 Thirdly, after the shock of the natural disaster, people's psychology is also greatly affected, in many places people are worried because crops are completely lost, debts are piling up, and they cannot foresee their livelihood in the coming time.

* In the recent letter of sympathy to the people affected by natural disasters, Party General Secretary To Lam affirmed: "In times of hardship, we see more clearly the strength of solidarity, of Vietnamese human kindness." According to you, how has this spirit been demonstrated in the recent floods?

As we can see, the more difficult the times, the more clearly the Vietnamese people demonstrate the strength of human kindness, the tradition of great solidarity, the spirit of mutual affection and support, "The good leaves cover the torn leaves" of the entire nation; the benevolent and compassionate nature shines brighter than ever and creates a source of support for everyone to overcome difficulties.

Before and immediately after the natural disaster occurred, the entire political system from the central to local levels quickly and proactively engaged with timely guidance, campaigns, and calls; police, military, border guard forces, militia, and even people from neighboring areas rushed into rescue efforts with "human kindness in danger"... regardless of danger, day and night, wading through floods to rescue, evacuate, and assist people to safety.

Along with that, thousands of organizations, businesses, individuals across the country promptly turned their attention to the Central - Central Highlands region by contributing funds, transporting goods, necessities, supporting house repairs, and caring for severely affected families. This strength helped the people in the flood-stricken areas overcome an extremely difficult period and created confidence that we will rise together, recover, and develop after the natural disaster.

* It can be seen that the motto "Leave no one behind" has been very clearly implemented during this natural disaster. After monitoring and visiting the people in the flood-stricken areas, how do you perceive this?

When visiting the flood-stricken areas to inquire about the people, the working delegation of Dong Nai province clearly felt the motto "Leave no one behind." This is no longer an empty slogan but is implemented through very specific actions.

From rescue forces immersing themselves for hours to bring each person to safety; to working delegations bringing food, medicine, clothes, necessities; then the joint efforts of the community from all over sending aid...; the joint efforts of the people in the disaster-stricken areas themselves... all aim to ensure that all people receive support, no one goes hungry, no one lacks clothing, no one is isolated in the flood.

* In Dong Nai province, how has the campaign to support the Central - Central Highlands region been implemented?

As soon as the natural disaster occurred, the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of the province issued an appeal and received a very strong response from agencies, units, businesses, and people in the province. The Standing Committee of the VFF Committee of the province received contributions of people from all social strata and the business community totaling over 20 billion VND; the Provincial Red Cross Society received over 100 tons of goods. But what touched me most was the "compassion" of the people of Dong Nai, stemming from the command of the heart, further illuminating "national sentiment, fraternal affection." In a short period (from November 20 to 26, 2020), from border communes to central localities, from retired elderly people to elementary school students... all acted by contributing labor and money... There were 94 volunteer groups, with over 1,100 volunteer people; 218 trips transporting nearly 1.2 thousand tons of goods, necessities, essential items, clean water, common medicines... worth nearly 30 billion VND to support the affected localities.

* Recently, there has been distorted information about social welfare policies, even intentionally attacking the efforts of our Party and State in supporting people in flood-stricken areas. According to you, what should we do in the face of such information?

Recently, in addition to positive information, truthfully reflecting the developments of the storm and flood situation; there has also appeared some distorted information, even intentionally attacking the efforts of the Party and State in supporting people in flood-stricken areas, dividing the great national unity bloc. In particular, taking advantage of digital technology, AI applications, many staged images have been used to make people confused.

All contributions - from cash to goods - are received publicly, fully recorded, continuously updated, detailed daily, and widely publicized on mass media, social networking platforms such as Zalo, Fanpage... for organizations and individuals to monitor. The allocation of resources is carried out in accordance with regulations, based on actual damage reports from localities, the leadership of the Provincial Party Committee's Standing Committee, the Provincial Party Committee's Standing Board, and agreement with friendly provinces before Dong Nai's working groups directly deliver them.

In addition, the supervision work involves the participation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees at all levels, member organizations, and representatives of the residential community, ensuring that aid reaches the right people, the right place, without omission or duplication. We are committed that every part of the support will reach the right beneficiaries and promote the most practical effectiveness for the people in the flood-stricken areas.

Comrade Ha Anh Dung, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai province

We need to be alert and clear-headed about this information, carefully read, carefully look at the images, and receive information from official channels; because only by relying on facts and official information can we accurately assess the efforts of agencies, forces, and the community in relief work, thereby strengthening trust, and it is precisely the spirit of national unity that is the most important weapon, the most important strength to overcome all challenges, creating confidence to help our compatriots overcome difficulties.

Spreading accurate and transparent information also helps all resources be mobilized effectively, reaching the right people and the right localities, avoiding waste and duplication, and contributing to increasing public consensus.

Sincerely thank you, Sir!

By Le Quyen-Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha