We need to give more autonomy to grassroots officials.

Speaking to the World and Vietnam Newspaper, journalist Pham Trung Tuyen said that at the present time, after the storms and floods have passed, the most important thing is to rebuild lives. Therefore, what is needed now is medicine, building materials, production tools, seedlings, livestock, and cash.

Many provinces and cities in northern Vietnam suffered damage from storms and floods. (Source: VNE)

According to a report dated September 15th from the Ministry of Planning and Investment, preliminary and incomplete estimates indicate that property damage caused by Typhoon No. 3 is approximately 40,000 billion VND.

Among the damage, approximately 257,000 houses, 1,300 schools, and numerous infrastructure facilities collapsed or were damaged; 305 dike incidents occurred, mainly affecting large dikes of level III and above; over 262,000 hectares of rice, crops, and fruit trees were flooded, damaged, or destroyed; 2,250 aquaculture cages were damaged or swept away; nearly 2.3 million livestock and poultry died; and nearly 310,000 urban trees were felled. To date, 353 people have died or are missing, approximately 1,900 have been injured, and the disaster has caused severe psychological trauma to many people in the affected areas, especially children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups.

Six pillars of Vietnam

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shared six key points to help overcome the consequences of Super Typhoon No. 3. (Source: VGP)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shared six pillars of support at the "Vietnam's Pillars of Support" program, contributing to overcoming the consequences of super typhoon No. 3, thereby building a strong and prosperous Vietnam, where our people are increasingly happy and well-off.

Firstly, the foundation is the spirit of national unity, unity within the Party, unity among the people, unity within the country, and international unity, "Unity, unity, great unity, success, success, great success" as President Ho Chi Minh said.

Secondly, we have the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam leading us for nearly 95 years. The Party has no other goal than to bring independence and freedom to the nation and a prosperous and happy life to the people.

Thirdly, the glorious historical and cultural traditions, the civilization and culture of the nation, the spirit of mutual support and compassion, "love others as you love yourself," "the healthy leaf protects the withered leaf, the withered leaf protects the even more withered leaf," "the gourd and the pumpkin should have pity on each other…".

Fourthly , the people. The people make history; strength originates from the people. "A task that is a hundred times easier will fail without the people, but a task that is a thousand times more difficult will succeed with the people's support."

Fifthly , there are the army and the police. "When needed, when things are difficult, the army and the police are there"; "Our army comes from the people, and fights for the people"; "Our police, sacrificing themselves for the country, serving the people."

Sixth , it is the spirit of self-reliance and self-improvement of our nation and of each individual. When faced with difficulties and challenges, the more pressure we face, the more we strive and persevere, overcoming our own limitations, with the spirit of "turning nothing into something, turning difficulty into ease, turning the impossible into the possible."

With the six pillars of Vietnam mentioned above, the Prime Minister called on compatriots and comrades to "work twice as hard," "work day and night" to contribute to overcoming the consequences of super typhoon No. 3 in 26 northern provinces and cities, and to contribute to building a strong and prosperous Vietnam, where our people are increasingly happy and well-off.

Social relief needs to be professionalized.

Sharing his personal views on relief efforts, journalist Pham Trung Tuyen, Deputy Director of VOV Traffic Channel, Voice of Vietnam Radio, believes that these activities need to be organized more professionally.

Journalist Pham Trung Tuyen. (Photo: Provided by the interviewee)

Typhoon No. 3 (Typhoon Yagi) made landfall, causing extensive damage to the northern provinces of Vietnam. Responding to the call and appeal of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, agencies, units, businesses, and people nationwide have been actively donating money and goods to help those affected.

The tradition of solidarity and sharing among our people is shining brightly throughout the country. This serves as encouragement and support for people in disaster-stricken areas to gradually overcome difficulties and stabilize their lives.

Even amidst the storms and floods, many individuals and organizations "stepped in," going to the flooded areas to provide relief to the people, which was truly touching and beautiful in the eyes of international friends.

I think different times have different needs. Right now, after the storms and floods have passed, the most important need is rebuilding lives.

Localities are rebuilding infrastructure, people are rebuilding their lives, restoring production activities, and preventing and treating diseases. What is needed right now is medicine, building materials, production tools, seedlings, livestock, and cash.

However, in reality, we still lack professional and reliable social organizations that can share the burden of resources with the State. While it's touching that individuals are currently organizing relief efforts driven by emotion, their effectiveness is low, and they are prone to duplication due to a lack of information, resources, and skills. Relief efforts should be concentrated in a few capable, reputable entities that can connect with and mobilize volunteers.

"The fact that individuals are stepping up to organize relief efforts driven by emotion is very touching, but the effectiveness is low, and duplication is common due to a lack of information, resources, and skills."

Relief efforts should be standardized in terms of conditions and principles, and coordinated by as few points of contact as possible. Having too many points of contact leads to wasted resources and overlapping efforts, thus preventing the effectiveness of the efforts from being commensurate with available social resources.

In my opinion, the most important role of the community in this activity is solidarity. Solidarity to share, to avoid suspicion and distrust, and to be ready to volunteer and cooperate. And for effectiveness, the role of grassroots officials is crucial. They are the team closest to the people, understanding the circumstances and problems of the people and the community best.

If grassroots officials are dedicated and work with a spirit of serving the people and the community, they will be the best focal points for organizing relief efforts. I think they need more autonomy, and their voices need to be heard more.

I believe that every story about sustainable livelihoods must begin with knowledge. Knowledge to live safely, to proactively adapt to natural weather conditions. Knowledge to maintain livelihoods and achieve sustainable development. Knowledge to respond to and support each other in disasters. When the level of knowledge within a community increases, that community has a better chance of living well.

"Once the storms and floods have passed, the most important need is rebuilding lives. Local authorities are rebuilding infrastructure, people are rebuilding their lives, restoring production activities, and preventing and treating illnesses. What is needed now are medicines, building materials, production tools, seedlings, livestock, and cash."

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cuu-tro-sau-bao-lu-can-trao-quyen-tu-chu-nhieu-hon-cho-doi-ngu-can-bo-co-so-286489.html