Soldiers crossed the forest to supply isolated areas in Tra Tan.

BO DOI DI BO — Brigade 270 carries food to Ong Yen village, Tra Tan commune. Photo: TAN SY

From 7am, nearly 100 officers, soldiers and militiamen traveled more than 30km of forest road to bring relief goods to the people.

The muddy slopes and consecutive landslides made transportation extremely difficult, but with the spirit of "wherever there is difficulty, there are soldiers", the forces coordinated smoothly, ensuring the safety of people and goods.

This relief shipment includes more than 4 tons of necessities such as rice, instant noodles, drinking water, cooking oil, medicine and nearly 500 gifts (banh chung, bread, dry food, clothes) delivered to isolated households.

Lieutenant Colonel Vo Tien Manh, Deputy Commander of the Tra My Region 3 Defense Command, said that along with the team approaching Mr. Yen's village, there were two other teams providing supplies to people in Song Y village, Tra Tan commune, where 172 households with more than 680 people have been lost since October 27, and village 5, Tra Doc commune with nearly 100 Ca Dong households.

GO TO LU — Soldiers and militia carry food into Mr. Yen's village, Ngoc Giac hamlet, Tra Tan commune. Photo: TAN SY

"The road was cut off so we had to march more than 30km through the forest. Up to now, 100% of the households in the isolated area have been fully supplied, there have been no cases of hunger," said Lieutenant Colonel Vo Tien Manh.

After nearly 4 hours of trekking through the forest and transferring through many vehicles, the working group reached Mr. Yen's village, Ngoc Giac hamlet.

Mr. Ho Van Thien, over 70 years old, emotionally said: “I have lived here since 1976, but I have never seen such a terrible flood. The rising water swept away all the houses, chickens, ducks, fields and gardens. Now people do not know where to start again.”

HEAVEN — Mr. Ho Van Thien in front of his newly built temporary hut, while his house was swept away by floodwaters. Photo by TAN SY

Ms. Ho Thi Hanh, a Ca Dong woman, is still in shock after the flood: “In just a moment, I lost everything. All that is left in my family is four bags of wet rice, the rest were swept away by the water. The clothes I am wearing were given to me by a neighbor. I hope to have a house soon so that I can stabilize my life.”

After surveying 11 households whose houses had completely collapsed in Mr. Yen village, the team continued to move to Mr. Tu village, Mr. Y village, Tra Giac hamlet. According to statistics, 27 houses of the Ca Dong people had completely collapsed.

Secretary of the Tra Tan Commune Party Committee Nguyen Hong Lai said that the commune will initially relocate people to temporary accommodation at the village cultural activity house, school area or mobilize other households to lend them accommodation. The commune will ensure provision of temporary food and provisions for people during the days when the flood and rain will continue.
“In the long term, the commune will report to the city to plan safe areas and build houses for people, determined not to let anyone live in the open or lack food and clothing,” said Mr. Lai.

TEST 1 — Secretary of the Tra Tan Commune Party Committee, Nguyen Hong Lai (second from right) inspected the landslide situation in Mr. Yen's village. Photo: TAN SY

Receiving the first gifts after nearly a week of isolation, many villagers of Mr. Yen could not hide their emotions. Mr. Ho Trung Thanh expressed: "It has been nearly a week since anyone came to visit and support. Thank you to the soldiers and the Tra Tan commune government for bringing rice, instant noodles, banh chung, and mineral water to the people. With the State's care, the people can rest assured and try to overcome the difficulties."

Yen village, once a peaceful place, was devastated by the flood. Many households lost their homes and livelihoods, and life ahead is still very difficult.

However, with the timely support of the armed forces and local authorities, and the resilient spirit of the Ca Dong people, the people here are gradually recovering from the natural disaster, making efforts to stabilize their lives and overcome difficulties.