Two-level local government: Proactively and flexibly support people to overcome severe floods

Natural disasters causing heavy damage after just over 3 months of operating the two-level local government model have become a big challenge for Thai Nguyen. However, with proactive and flexible leadership and management, local governments have clearly demonstrated their roles and responsibilities, becoming a solid "support" for people to unite, stabilize their lives and recover from the floods.

Diem Thuy commune mobilized necessities to distribute to people in flood-affected areas.

"Fulcrum" at the center of the flood

Immediately after receiving information about storm No. 11, which is likely to cause heavy rain and water levels about 1 meter higher than in 2024, the People's Committee of Diem Thuy commune urgently established working groups to go to each hamlet to propagate and mobilize people to evacuate people and property from areas at risk of flooding.

Commune leaders directed hamlet chiefs to increase information on the loudspeaker system so that people can promptly grasp and proactively prevent, especially focusing on supporting the evacuation of the elderly, children and households in low-lying areas.

With the motto “human life is above all”, during the recent flood, Diem Thuy commune had no human losses; all people were guaranteed food, drinking water and domestic water. The Commune People's Committee coordinated with sponsors to promptly deliver goods and support funds to the people in the affected areas.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Dai, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Diem Thuy Commune, said: After just over 3 months since the new administrative unit came into operation, the proactive direction and mobilization of forces to promptly respond to unexpected natural disasters has clearly shown the effectiveness of the two-level government model that is close to the people, serving the people better.

Linh Son Ward was established on the basis of merging the entire natural area and population of Chua Hang and Dong Bam wards and Cao Ngan, Huong Thuong and Linh Son communes. Many areas of the ward are located along the Cau River - a place that is often flooded during storms and high river water levels.

According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Standing Deputy Secretary of Linh Son Ward Party Committee, during the process of responding to and overcoming the consequences of floods, the ward Party Committee and government promptly grasped the situation, promoted the spirit of solidarity, mutual love, mobilized the strength of the entire political system and people to soon stabilize life and restore socio-economic development.

Linh Son Ward People's Committee coordinated with philanthropists to receive and hand out gifts to households affected by floods.

When floods occur, the Ward Civil Defense Command directly inspects the scene, assigns forces to stretch ropes, place warning signs, arrange people to be on duty at deep flooded areas and organize traffic flow 24/7. Thanks to proactively implementing response measures and timely support for the people, Linh Son Ward has no human casualties.

Support people to stabilize their lives and restore production

Immediately after the flood receded, Linh Son ward mobilized armed forces, union members, militia and people to participate in cleaning up mud, cleaning the environment, disinfecting, and ensuring safe conditions for living and production.

At the same time, the ward organized visits, encouragement, and support with necessities for households with heavy losses, helping people to quickly restore production and stabilize their lives. Specialized agencies urgently surveyed, assessed the damage and implemented remedial measures, gradually bringing local activities back to normal .

In Diem Thuy commune, immediately after the water receded, the People's Committee directed health agencies to coordinate with hamlets to spray disinfectants and detoxify flooded areas; veterinary staff were mobilized to spray medicine to prevent and control epidemics on livestock and poultry.

The Commune People's Committee established 8 working groups to inspect, visit, and count the damage to the people; at the same time, mobilized the police, army, businesses and youth union members to support people in cleaning up their houses and roads, quickly stabilizing their lives. The Commune government also reviewed households with especially difficult circumstances, collapsed or severely damaged houses to mobilize resources to support the rebuilding of houses.

“Fire tests gold, hardship tests strength”. Natural disasters occurring in the first months of operating a two-level local government are no small challenge. However, officials at all levels have clearly demonstrated their sense of responsibility, management capacity and mettle in practice. Through storm No. 11, people have acknowledged the effectiveness of the two-level local government model, ensuring effective, efficient operations, close to the people, and better serving the people.

Evaluating the local government, Mr. Duong Van Binh, a resident of Diem Thuy commune, shared: I was very moved when I saw the commune officials brave the rain to help evacuate people from flooded areas. After storm No. 11, we saw more clearly the spirit of participation of the entire political system, organizations and individuals inside and outside the area in the work of preventing and fighting natural disasters, helping people to soon stabilize their lives and restore production.

Flexible operation, smooth coordination

Storm No. 11 is an important "test" to help evaluate the effectiveness of the two-level government model in communes and wards in Thai Nguyen province.

Along with forecasting and early warning work to help people proactively respond, as soon as floods occurred, the Provincial People's Committee organized many working groups to inspect the situation, and directed local authorities to directly go to each hamlet, village, and residential group to support the people. Forces were mobilized promptly, arranging means and materials to evacuate people from dangerous areas, and providing food and food relief to the people.

Immediately after the flood receded, Linh Son ward mobilized forces to support people in cleaning their houses and stabilizing their lives soon.

When the water recedes, to overcome the consequences of storm No. 11, at the meeting on October 9, comrade Pham Hoang Son, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, requested heads of departments, branches and localities to mobilize maximum resources with a spirit of urgency and determination, focusing on overcoming the consequences of floods as quickly as possible, and soon bringing people's lives back to normal.

Under the close direction of the provincial government, localities have proactively regulated and mobilized forces, means, and equipment to carry out environmental sanitation, waste collection, disinfection, sterilization, epidemic prevention, and support people to overcome damage according to the motto "clear people, clear work, clear results".

In the context of the two-level government model that has just been deployed, the continuous suffering from floods and landslides causing great damage is a big challenge. However, the authorities at all levels have clearly affirmed their management capacity, sense of responsibility and solidarity for the people. The historic flood has passed, but the spirit of solidarity and the will to rise of Thai Nguyen people continues to be fostered, becoming an important foundation for the province to successfully complete the socio-economic development goals in 2025.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/thoi-su-thai-nguyen/202510/chinh-quyen-dia-phuong-2-cap-chu-dong-linh-hoat-ho-tro-nguoi-dan-vuot-lu-du-3464e9a/