With roads cut off, they have been wading through streams, trekking through forests, walking dozens of kilometers and even using motorboats to deliver bags of rice, instant noodles, and bottled water to isolated areas.
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The local armed forces and youth support Con Cuong residents in recovery |
As of July 27, Nhon Mai commune remained completely isolated. However, thanks to swift coordination, essential goods reached local residents in time. The floodwater began to recede on July 27, thus, local border guards, police, and volunteers used motorboats to cross the Nam Non River to establish a supply reception point in Hoa Ly village, My Ly commune. From there, goods were transferred by boat to Nhon Mai to support those in need.
From boats, one could see visible devastation in villages such as Hoa Ly and Xop Tu in My Ly commune, Na Hy and Nhon Mai in Nhon Mai commune, with few homes left precariously hanging over the riverbanks. Despite the danger, motorboats from benefactors with relief supplies continued heading to Nhon Mai commune. After nearly two hours, aid on boats reached the commune’s collection points, where authorized persons ensured proper distribution.
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A border guard carrying a bag of rice to load on boats to reach needy residents |
Va Ba Dua, a resident of Pieng Cooc village, Nhon Mai commune, said that his home and property was washed away by the floods, and life ahead will be very hard. However, the timely support from local authorities and other forces have helped ease part of it.
Floodwaters made local roads muddier and even more hazardous. To provide support to local residents, a 30-member mission from Defense-Economic Unit No.4 of Military Region 4, led by its deputy head Colonel Nguyen Dinh Duong, trekked nearly 12km through landslides and steep terrains to reach isolated villages in Muong Tip commune. Soaked and covered in mud, they kept going ahead, knowing that many residents were waiting for help. At each stop, together with supplies, they also assisted locals in repairing homes and encouraged those who lost everything.
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Twelve-year-old Va Ba Tua and his parents in Pieng Cooc village receive relief supplies. |
Knowing that Pienghong village in Laos’ Xiangkhouang province was severely damaged by the recent floods with 45 homes swept away and Piengmeuang Border Station completely destroyed, and Border Guard Company 223 isolated, the People’s Committee of Nghe An province’s Na Loi commune and Na Loi Border Post and local public security force provided them with necessities. Similar support was also extended to the Border Guard Company 217 in Laos’ Houaphanh province. The support reaffirmed the strong friendship between Vietnamese and Lao units and border provinces.
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Local residents help each other cross muddy streams. |
In Tuong Duong commune, troops from the Command of the Defensive Area Region 4 - Tuong Duong has stood side-by-side with locals to prevent damage and overcome the aftermath of Typhoon Wipha for a week now. The unit has also developed different flood and landslide scenarios to ensure preparedness and pro-activeness in any circumstances.
Translated by Mai Huong