Lesson 1: Bringing clean water, solving urgent needs

In recent times, thanks to the attention of Party committees at all levels, along with support resources from the National Target Program for Socio -Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas; the support of the community and the changes in people's awareness and practices, the remote areas deep in the core area of ​​Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park are gradually improving day by day.

Facing numerous difficulties due to lack of electricity and clean water, the Ma Coong ethnic people in Thuong Trach commune are stuck in poverty and have limited living conditions. All levels, sectors and society have been working together to help the people in the border area have better living conditions.

Concerns about clean water sources

From the center of Phong Nha town, Bo Trach district, we strained to cross a long road with thousands of hairpin bends, a deep abyss on one side and hundreds of ups and downs, going deep into the core of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. The steep road was being repaired and upgraded in many sections, making the journey more difficult. In addition, the phone signal gradually disappeared as we went deeper into the village, forcing the reporter to focus only on the people and the villages before our eyes.

A cluster of villages in Thuong Trach commune is still relying on solar power.

Thuong Trach commune has a total natural area of ​​nearly 74,152 hectares; the border with Laos is 58,142 km long, located deep in the core area of ​​Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. The commune has 18 villages and hamlets with 3,209 people. The poverty rate is still high with 470 households, 2,106 people, accounting for 65.37%; near-poor households have 36 households, 189 people, accounting for 5.01%. The average income per capita is only 14.6 million VND/person/year. People here live in clusters and hamlets, scattered. Households living in remote mountainous areas are guided and facilitated to return to the central area according to the policy of "Solving the shortage of residential land, housing, production land, and domestic water" for ethnic minorities.

With its special location, being a remote area close to the Lao border, and being the core of the heritage, bringing electricity to the commune encountered many difficulties. However, with the participation of the entire political system, the dream of electricity has become a reality, bringing electricity to the center of Thuong Trach commune. To completely cover all villages with electricity, the people as well as the army and people continue to have high hopes for the project phase 2.

Along with electricity, clean water is also a concern for the government as well as the forces stationed in the area. People here mainly use water from streams flowing near their houses. The water is shared by people and livestock, poultry... for bathing, washing, cleaning, and even eating. The stream changes with the seasons, it is muddy in the rainy season, and dry in the dry season. Not to mention, the terrain here has many limestone mountains, making the risk of lime contamination in the water inevitable.

When there was no water project, people had to go to nearby rivers and streams for daily activities.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Le Xuan Hoa, Con Roang Border Guard Station, Quang Binh Provincial Border Guard, an officer assigned to be Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Thuong Trach Commune, the use of unsafe water sources can affect people's health. Not only that, water is not available at residential areas, but people have to go to the nearest river or stream to carry water for use.

People use water from rivers and streams for daily life.

Not only washing clothes, but the water is also used for bathing and even cooking.

Besides, shared, unsanitary water sources also pose a risk of causing skin, digestive, eye, etc. diseases to people.

Coordinate to find clean water

Water is one of the basic and essential needs in daily life. Concerned with the source of life, the local government, army and people have joined hands to coordinate to find a source of clean water for the people.

Accordingly, implementing the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, the sub-project to solve the shortage of domestic water, the Thuong Trach commune government has surveyed and calculated to find water sources and lead water to water supply points in the hamlet clusters. The decentralized water project helps bring clean water from upstream to concentrated residential areas, minimizing the situation of sharing water with animals, as well as being close to residential areas, convenient for daily life.

Border guards support finding water sources and drilling wells

Also at the time we went to the border, Vice Chairman of Thuong Trach Commune People's Committee Nguyen Truong Chinh was directly surveying water supply points to the clusters of Noong Cu, Noong Moi, Ban and Aky villages, serving more than 100 households.

Clean water is brought in so that each residential area can use it.

Clean water right at your doorstep thanks to the support of the Border Guard and social resources

According to Major Truong Tan Hop, Con Roang Border Guard Station, the unit had previously surveyed and built many clean water wells to serve the people. However, due to geological conditions, the wells could only be used for a short period of time, the amount of underground water was not enough for daily use, so people went to the stream. Therefore, the unit met with the people to find the most long-term solution.

“After many meetings with the village chief, people, soldiers and youth, we conducted surveys to find suitable locations for wells. The Party Committee and the unit's Command Board had many meetings to find optimal solutions, save costs and effort, and mobilize resources to join hands with the soldiers to build permanent wells and improve people's lives,” said Major Truong Tan Hop.

From voluntary support and more than 200 working days of the border guards, 9 clean water projects have been implemented and served 8 villages and 1 primary school in Cooc village, Thuong Trach commune.

Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Quang Hoa, Chief of Con Roang Border Guard Station, said the installation of pumps, generators, water pipes, tanks, and concrete foundations were all organized by border guards in coordination with youth in the village, ensuring progress, quality, and cost savings.

People are excited to have clean water, convenient for daily life.

Happy to have clean water at their doorstep, the people have more spirit to join the Party and the government in participating in new development projects. Mr. Ho Dang, in Niu village, said: "I have been here for more than 20 years, but I only know how to draw water from the stream to use, but now that the Party, the State and the Border Guard are interested in having clean water, the people of Niu village are very excited and enthusiastic to produce."

The commune's primary school is also more convenient for teachers and students to live. Teacher Nguyen Thi Huong, a teacher at the school, shared that now teachers and students can conveniently clean themselves every day, but in the past, there was no well, teachers and students had to carry water from the stream, which was extremely difficult. Working together, the local government and the border guards aim for a common goal so that people have more choices in their daily lives, serving the growing life.

“With wells, people can live more hygienically, help water vegetables, and grow fruit trees. Thanks to the motivation from the Border Guard Station, it helps the people of 8 villages develop a stable economy and join hands with the army to protect the sovereignty and security of the border,” said Chairman of the People’s Committee of Thuong Trach Commune, Dinh Cu.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/tren-duong-phat-trien-1/bai-1-dan-nuoc-sach-thao-go-nhu-cau-buc-thiet-i382447/