Hardship upon hardship
Many areas along the Ba River remain flooded, while others have been left with thick mud and debris. At the home of Le Thanh Dan in Phuoc Loc 1, a motorbike and household items were still stuck under knee-deep mud. When head of the standing militia force of Phu Yen ward Ho Minh Thanh called out, Dan immediately recognized the man who rescued his family. Overcome with emotion, he recalled how rising waters on the evening of November 19 trapped six family members until Thanh and rescue forces saved them. Official Khoi added that Thanh and his team rescued more than 70 people after two sleepless days.
    |
 |
|
Dak Lak provincial armed forces support residents in responding to flooding. |
The official informed that more than 10,500 houses and 35,500 people were affected by back-to-back disasters, first typhoon Kalmaegi, then historic flooding. Essential goods in the ward are running out, and local authorities requested urgent support, including drinking water, rice, instant noodles, dry rations, warm clothing, and medicines to prevent post-flood disease outbreaks.
In Tay Hoa commune, many areas remain isolated and accessible only by boats. Vice Chairman of Tay Hoa Ward People’s Committee Le Van Vi noted that supplying necessities to nearly 30,000 residents in 10,250 deeply flooded households is extremely challenging. The commune has only a few boats and no trained operators while rescue forces are overstretched. He emphasized that without higher-level support, ensuring food, clothing, sanitation, and future recovery, including restoring production and livestock, would be extremely difficult.
Thousands of hot meals bring comfort
Receiving a hot meal and relief package from soldiers, Chau Thi Anh Thu from Phuoc Nong village, Tay Hoa commune, said her family had survived on noodles and dry rations for days, with no dry clothes to change into and other villagers are in need of food, clothes, blankets and mosquito nets.
In less than an hour, more than 300 hot meals were delivered to residents. Those who arrived later received dry rations, instant noodles, biscuits, water, and milk.
|
|
 |
|
Troops of Dak Lak Provincial Military Command prepare meals for flood-affected people. |
Colonel Tran Van Thanh, head of the Division of Logistics-Technical Services under the Dak Lak Provincial Military Command, said, “This morning, we operated 15 field kitchens, including nine to support the armed forces engaged in rescue operations across the province, and six cooking free meals for flood-affected residents.”
According to the officer, over the past two days, nearly 3,000 meals and around 3 tons of donated essential goods were handed over directly to people in the flooded areas.
The historic flood has inflicted exceptionally severe damage across the central provinces. Yet amidst the hardship, the dedication of Uncle Ho’s soldiers and the compassion of communities have brought warmth and comfort to those struggling in the aftermath.
Translated by Mai Huong