Soldiers lie in hammocks, giving up beds to civilians

Many fishing boats were thrown ashore by the waves and severely damaged; houses collapsed, walls cracked, roofs were blown off; properties, motorbikes, televisions, tables, chairs, beds and wardrobes were damaged and swept out to sea... That was the situation of 24 households living in the coastal fishing village at the end of An Quang Dong village (De Gi commune, Gia Lai province) after storm No. 13. Fortunately, before the storm made landfall, 85 people were mobilized and supported by officers and soldiers of Cat Khanh Border Guard Station (Gia Lai Provincial Border Guard Command) to evacuate in time, so everyone was safe.

Digging through a thick layer of sand to reveal the jagged walls still clinging to the foundation of the old house that had just collapsed, Ms. Phan Thi Nhuong (46 years old, living in An Quang Dong village) shared with tears in her eyes: “My house was so solid, but after just a storm, everything was destroyed. Sharing the difficulties and losses of the people, over the past two days, officers and soldiers of Cat Khanh Border Guard Station have welcomed us to stay. Although they were busy helping people overcome the consequences of the storm, the soldiers still worried about taking care of every meal and sleep for the people. This kindness will be forever engraved in the hearts of the people.”

Looking into the people's rooms, we saw bunk beds arranged in neat rows. On the small wooden table, in addition to glasses and cups, the soldiers also arranged books, newspapers, chess, and Chinese chess for the people. Colonel Nguyen The Vinh, Commander of the Gia Lai Provincial Military Command, said: "Due to the large number of people coming to evacuate, currently, officers and soldiers of Cat Khanh Border Guard Station and many agencies and units of the Gia Lai Provincial Military Command have had to move outside to set up hammocks and temporary tents..."

Officers and soldiers of the Gia Lai Provincial Border Guard Command help people of De Gi commune overcome the consequences of storm No. 13.

In fact, we learned that in the past two days, from the "Rice Jar for the Poor" Fund, the unit has purchased nearly 100 sets of blankets, clothes, and necessities to serve the people.

At night, the coastal fishing village resounded with the singing of young soldiers in green uniforms and children. In the eye of the storm, the close relationship between the army and the people was nurtured from simple, familiar things like that.

Focus on solving "4 priorities"

Implementing the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha: "Military units participating in helping localities overcome the consequences of natural disasters need to focus on implementing "4 priorities" (helping localities clean up, collect mud, broken and fallen tree branches at 4 priority locations: Roads, hospitals, schools, offices), over the past two days, soldiers have continuously deployed troops to work in 3 shifts, 4 teams to speed up the work progress, practically helping people.

Storm No. 13 has passed, but the aftermath of the tragedy, hardships and difficulties in many coastal areas of Dak Lak province are still there. Hundreds of houses had their roofs blown off, thousands of households were submerged in floodwaters, fields, gardens, ponds were devastated...

At noon on November 8, under the scorching hot weather, more than 7,000 officers, soldiers and militiamen in Gia Lai province were still working hard to help people. In the communes of Cat Tien, Hoa Hoi, Hoi Son and Phu My, in just one morning, young soldiers of Division 2 (Military Region 5) dredged and collected nearly 300 cubic meters of mud, trees and garbage causing traffic jams on Provincial Road 639 and inter-village and inter-commune roads; helped 8 primary and secondary schools trim trees, re-roof houses, clean tables and chairs; supported local electricity workers to rebuild 41 electric poles and transformer stations; and together with local youth union members and youths supported and helped hundreds of families whose houses had their roofs blown off or collapsed. With the spirit of urgent and active work, in the communes of An Luong, Binh Duong, Phu My Dong, Phu My Tay, Tuy Phuoc, Binh Khe, the reinforcement and support forces of the 573rd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, the 572nd Artillery Brigade (Military Region 5), Division 31 (Army Corps 34) and agencies and units under the Gia Lai Provincial Military Command... also joined hands to clean up nearly 30km of roads; helping 314 households, 26 schools, medical centers, hospitals, and 14 traditional markets that were heavily damaged by floods to gradually stabilize and come into operation.

With the motto of "leaving no one behind, not letting people live in the open, not letting anyone suffer from thirst or hunger", in Song Cau, Tuy An Bac (Dak Lak); Duc Pho, Sa Huynh, Binh Son, Binh Chuong (Quang Ngai); Tra Leng, Tra Doc, Tra Tan, Kham Duc (Da Nang)... soldiers and militiamen have overcome slopes, crossed forests, and carried dozens of tons of food and provisions to households isolated and separated by floods and landslides. Families whose houses were collapsed or swept away were helped by soldiers to build thatched houses, temporary houses or to stay temporarily in offices and barracks.

Sharing the difficulties and losses of the people, on November 8, Major General Luong Dinh Chung, Party Secretary, Political Commissar of Military Region 5, came to express condolences, visit and give gifts to families whose relatives unfortunately passed away due to storms and floods in the two provinces of Gia Lai and Dak Lak. Encouraging the military forces who are supporting and helping the people, comrade Thai Dai Ngoc, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Gia Lai Provincial Party Committee, emphasized: "Gia Lai is one of the localities most affected and severely damaged by storm No. 13. Thanks to the help of military agencies and units, the work of overcoming the consequences is being carried out very urgently and effectively. The local Party Committee, government and people acknowledge and highly appreciate the role of the armed forces".

Late afternoon, the flaps of shirts were soaked with sweat, but the sounds of hoes, shovels, and chainsaws were still working non-stop. Some were cutting trees, others were clearing land, some were rebuilding roofs, and collecting damaged furniture. Senior Lieutenant Le Van Phi, Deputy Captain of Company 1, Battalion 85, Regiment 888, shared with us: "We are working hard to help people ease their suffering and stabilize their lives soon."

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    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/dan-quan-doc-chien-giup-dan-1011149