Along the Ky Lo River, convoys of relief supplies from across the country continue to stream into each village, carrying love and comfort to ease the pain left by the disaster.
Military-civilian bonds in flood-hit area
“We are soldiers of Regiment 95 (Mang Yang Unit) marching from the Central Highlands to Tuy An Dong to help people overcome the consequences of the floods. We wish teachers and students good health, peace, and happiness as you recover from loss and hardship.” These heartfelt words, written by soldiers of Regiment 95 on a board hanging in Class 9A5 of Le Duan Primary and Secondary School, moved Principal Pham Van Khoa both unexpectedly and deeply.
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Troops of Regiment 95 helping people in Quang Duc hamlet overcome flood consequences |
According to Principal Pham Van Khoa, on the night of November 19, the water rose extremely fast. Within a few hours, the entire administrative block and all first-floor classrooms were submerged. After the water receded, the schoolyard looked like a battlefield covered in mud and debris. Thankfully, the soldiers came promptly to help, and now everything has stabilized.
Along DH31, the road connecting National Road 1A to the Ganh Da Dia scenic site, young soldiers worked in formation, clearing mud, removing fallen trees and reopening traffic so relief trucks and construction vehicles could pass safely. Corporal Kpa Y Kiet of Battalion 7 under Regiment 95 said, “While helping residents, we were attacked by Paederus beetle and insects. Their bites stung terribly even after washing, and many of us suffered from infections. Most frightening were king cobras and red-tailed vipers, which we encountered every day.”
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Troops help locals recover from the storm. |
With troops’ assistance, households in the hardest-hit villages of Quang Duc, Diem Dien, Hoi Phu, and Hoi Tin gradually overcame their most difficult days. Standing before her repaired home, Pham Thi Thu, a 46-year woman from Quang Duc village recalled in tears, “Everyone here has built the foundation of their houses two to three meters higher than the road, yet on the night of November 19, all the houses were submerged. Without rescue forces from Defensive Area Command Region 1-Song Cau and the Military Command of Tuy An Dong commune under the Dak Lak Provincial Military Command evacuating us in time, I don’t know what would have happened.”
Every day, soldiers set aside portions of meat, fish and vegetables from their meals to give to policy households, poor families and orphaned children. In return, local women took turns preparing tea, sweet potatoes and cakes to bring to soldiers. Wherever the flood passed, the bond between the military and the people remained warm and heartfelt.
Millions of hearts turned toward “flood center”
Across Hoa Thinh, Hoa Xuan, Tay Hoa, Tuy An Dong, Tuy An Tay, and other areas of Dak Lak, scenes of solidarity have moved many to tears. “Tuy An Dong, we are here!”; “North–Central–South stand together”; “My truck carries love/please give way”; “After the rain comes sunshine, stay strong!” These messages on relief trucks reflect the nation’s shared compassion.
In the early days, relief supplies consisted mainly of instant noodles, dried food and bottled water. Now, beyond food, clothing, medicine and blankets, people across the country are sending shovels, hoes, brooms, buckets, basins, water pumps, electric fans and essential household items to help residents rebuild.
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Troops joining hands to clean up streets |
Beside a truck loaded with uniforms, notebooks and school supplies, Le Thi Hoai Thu (28, Buon Ma Thuot) said, “We saw on the news that many children lost their books and clothes, so women in my neighborhood broke open our savings jars to buy gifts. Local authorities helped compile a list of affected students.”
Soldiers of Regiment 95 also contributed tens of millions of VND to support flood-affected families. Receiving notebooks and pens from the soldiers, student Tran Ngoc Thien of Class 9B said, “After the flood, my house had nothing left. The soldiers came to encourage us and gave us school supplies. I’m deeply grateful. When I grow up, I want to join the military like them.”
Translated by Tran Hoai