A solid "pillar of support" for the people in border regions.

Recognizing the crucial role of mass mobilization work in fulfilling the tasks of building a comprehensively strong, exemplary unit and consolidating the close military-civilian relationship, the 337th Economic-Defense Brigade has developed many effective "skillful mass mobilization" models over the years. Through this, they have joined hands with local Party committees and authorities to develop socio-economic conditions, proving themselves a solid "pillar" for the people in the border regions of the Fatherland.

Officers, soldiers, and young volunteer intellectuals from the 337th Economic-Defense Brigade guide people in Huong Linh commune on how to care for cassava plants - Photo: LE TRUONG

Working together to help people overcome poverty.

Over the years, alongside its training and combat readiness duties, the 337th Economic-Defense Brigade has consistently adhered to its functions and responsibilities, actively coordinating with local authorities to implement numerous solutions and approaches focused on supporting the livelihoods of the people. As a result, the lives of thousands of ethnic minority households in the particularly disadvantaged communes of Dakrong and Huong Hoa districts have improved, contributing to sustainable poverty reduction.

After getting married, the lives of Mr. Ho Van Rai and his wife, residing in Chenh Venh village, Huong Phung commune, Huong Hoa district, were fraught with difficulties. Lack of production knowledge and capital meant poverty plagued their family. Understanding and empathizing with Mr. Rai's situation, at the end of 2023, through various project programs, the 337th Economic-Defense Brigade provided them with 3 breeding goats. After a period of care, Mr. Rai and his wife's goat herd grew to 6, of which 4 have been sold as breeding stock to local people.

“Besides providing goat breeds, the soldiers also guided us on how to raise, care for, and build breeding pens for the goats. They also came to our house weekly to check on the goats and provide medicine for disease prevention and treatment. With the money from selling the breeding goats, I will invest in developing the herd, creating a stable income for my family. Thank you very much to the soldiers of the 337th Regiment,” Mr. Rai shared.

Rai's family is just one of more than 2,000 households in 34 villages across the two districts of Dakrong and Huong Hoa that have received support from the 337th Economic-Defense Brigade. Over the past five years, residents have participated in eight models with various projects aimed at creating raw material areas and producing marketable goods. This has gradually changed their mindset, way of thinking, and practices, contributing to a 3.5% - 4% annual reduction in the local poverty rate.

Lieutenant Colonel Vo Van Bay, Team Leader of Production Team 9, Regiment 52, Economic-Defense Group 337, said that through socio-economic development projects under the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas, the unit has developed plans and guidelines for implementation.

This includes focusing on transferring and training technical skills, providing seedlings, agricultural tools, and supplies to thousands of households in 13 communes across Huong Hoa and Dakrong districts, worth over 25 billion VND; coordinating and effectively managing, protecting, and preventing forest fires; and replicating economic models in cattle and goat breeding, ginger cultivation, coffee, and rice farming. From there, it promotes local socio-economic development and improves the lives of the people.

The impact of concrete actions

In carrying out border defense and economic development tasks in remote areas, effective "people-to-people relations" has become a highlight in the military-civilian work of the 337th Economic-Defense Brigade. The unit has established working groups and teams that regularly "stay close to the people, villages, and localities," effectively implementing the motto "eat together, live together, work together, and speak the ethnic language together" to listen to the thoughts, aspirations, and difficulties of the people.

Actively coordinate with local Party committees and authorities to integrate resources and prioritize investment in infrastructure development to serve economic development and create favorable conditions for planning and relocating residents in conjunction with national defense and security tasks.

Specifically, during the 2021-2025 period, the 337th Economic-Defense Brigade implemented 19 community projects in its managed area, handing over 10 projects related to transportation, water supply, irrigation, etc., with a total cost of over 42 billion VND, benefiting more than 1,500 households. They also organized dozens of field trips for community outreach, with over 900 officers, soldiers, and young intellectuals volunteering, contributing over 13,800 man-days to repair 13 community projects, 69 km of inter-village roads, and 99 km of irrigation canals in disadvantaged areas.

In response to the "Skilled Mass Mobilization" emulation movements and the building of "Good Mass Mobilization Units," for many years, officers, soldiers, and young volunteer intellectuals of the 337th Economic-Defense Brigade have effectively implemented and maintained meaningful activities such as: "Spring on the Border - A Tet filled with military-civilian solidarity," supporting the "Homeland's Heart - Supporting Education" scholarship fund; the model "Production team officers and young volunteer intellectuals of the 337th Brigade accompanying children to school"; "The green-uniformed volunteer teacher of the 337th Brigade reaching villages and hamlets"; mass organizations building "Tet on the Border filled with military-civilian solidarity," "Volunteer Saturday," "Green Sunday," "Saturday and Sunday for the People," "Haircutting for Children," "Bowl of Compassionate Porridge," etc.

Through this initiative, thousands of gifts worth hundreds of millions of VND were donated to families receiving government assistance, impoverished households, and students overcoming difficulties; and 55 orphaned and disadvantaged students were fostered and supported to excel in their studies.

Colonel Uong Dinh Tan, Commander of the 337th Economic-Defense Brigade, stated that, guided by the principle of "putting the people first," the unit's Party Committee and command consistently lead, direct, and effectively implement mass mobilization work, especially focusing on improving the material and spiritual lives of the people in disadvantaged areas. This includes effectively implementing movements and models suitable to each locality to successfully fulfill the dual task of both economic development and national defense and security.

Through coordinated operational regulations, the unit periodically organizes meetings, reviews, and summaries of projects and models to monitor the situation and resolve difficulties and obstacles in implementation. As a result, most programs, projects, and models implemented by the unit have yielded positive results and received strong support and consensus from local Party committees, authorities, and people. This has significantly contributed to the process of poverty reduction and the strengthening of the national defense posture in border areas.

Le Truong

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/diem-tua-vung-chac-cua-nhan-dan-vung-bien-gioi-194423.htm