Northern Vietnam Floods: When Social Responsibility is Awakened

Charity is not just about giving material things, but also about preserving trust – an invaluable asset that contributes to the sustainability of society.

Severe flooding in Thai Nguyen . (Photo: Nguyen Hoan)

During the days of storms and rising floodwaters in Central Vietnam and the northern mountainous regions, the entire nation turns its attention to the beloved areas with acts of sharing and compassion. More than ever, this is the time when the social responsibility of citizens, businesses, and celebrities is demonstrated, spreading the spirit of "mutual support" to help people overcome natural disasters and losses, and stabilize their lives.

People's hearts are united in support of the flood victims.

Every time storms arrive, news reports about rising water levels, dike breaches, and houses being swept away... tug at the heartstrings of people across the country. The storm and flood season – a season of suffering, but also a season of love, of helping hands, kindness, and compassion.

Along the roads, we see convoys of vehicles carrying relief supplies; boats braving the waves to reach every village; from the close guidance of leaders to soldiers, citizens, businesspeople, artists... all contributing their small share to alleviate the damage and bring comfort to their compatriots.

With each passing flood season, we witness countless touching stories: An elderly woman gathering her meager pension to send to flood victims; a group of young people staying up all night packing relief supplies; children personally packing school supplies and books to send to friends in mountainous areas whose schools were destroyed by heavy rains. And then there's the moment we are moved to tears when a disabled beggar in Lam Dong donates 50,000 dong...

Amidst countless beautiful images of the spirit of "helping those in need," a major question arises: How can acts of charity become a self-driven social responsibility, not just a fleeting emotion, but a lasting value in each individual and organization? Because charity, when nurtured with a sense of social responsibility, linked to ethics, culture, and a sustainable development strategy, will create a powerful and lasting ripple effect.

In recent years, many Vietnamese businesses have viewed philanthropy not just as a humanitarian activity, but as a commitment to supporting the community. They proactively allocate funds for social welfare, sponsor the construction of charitable houses, support areas affected by natural disasters, and help restore livelihoods after storms. Many businesses also implement charitable programs to help people rebuild safer living environments after natural disasters.

These actions demonstrate a modern mindset regarding social responsibility, as businesses have shifted their focus to human and community values. This spirit shines even brighter during the most difficult times of natural disasters.

In areas severely affected by flooding and far from urban centers, the military forces of Thai Nguyen province continue to rescue the elderly and children, bringing them to temporary shelters. (Source: VNE)

Not only businesses, but celebrities are also becoming a bridge to spread compassion. In the age of social media, celebrities have a huge influence; their calls for support can create a powerful wave of assistance in just a few hours. Many artists, athletes, and content creators have stepped forward to donate, organize auctions, or directly go to flood-stricken areas to help the people. They not only bring gifts but also bring encouragement, helping those affected by the natural disaster feel that they are not being left behind.

But with influence comes responsibility. Every action, every donation must be done with transparency, integrity, and respect for the community's trust. Because charity is not just about giving material things, but also about preserving trust and creating social sustainability. More than anyone else, celebrities need to understand that kindness is only truly meaningful when it is done correctly, in the right place, at the right time, and from the heart.

Each person – a bridge of compassion

Volunteer work will be truly effective when organized scientifically , planned, and coordinated. In fact, in many localities, when the government, the Fatherland Front, mass organizations, and businesses work together to coordinate, social resources are used more rationally, avoiding situations of surplus in some areas and shortage in others, or waste in the distribution process.

Beyond emergency assistance, it's crucial to help people rebuild their lives, such as repairing roofs, restoring crops, and creating sustainable livelihoods. A bag of rice might provide food for a week, but a breeding cow or a vocational training course can help people recover after a storm.

Charity, viewed broadly, is an investment in the future of humanity, in trust, character, and the sustainability of society. When each act of helping is organized with responsibility, we are contributing to building a culture of compassion.

Not everyone can donate large sums of money, but everyone can contribute in their own way. That is, by sharing accurate information, spreading positive energy, donating within their means, or simply sending a word of encouragement to those affected by natural disasters and floods.

In modern society, charity is no longer limited to gift packages or transportation, but has expanded to the digital space – where every share, every act of kindness can multiply the value of compassion. This is what makes the spirit of "loving others as you love yourself" so enduring in the hearts of each individual.

Natural disasters may sweep away homes and possessions, but they cannot sweep away compassion. The storm will pass, the floodwaters will recede, but human kindness will endure. Although many hardships lie ahead, as long as the spirit of sharing food and clothing continues, we will always have the strength to rise again, rebuild lives together, and revive the rural areas that have just experienced the storm. On the journey to overcome loss, social responsibility and compassion are always precious in society...

The circulation of Typhoon No. 11 (Matmo), combined with southeasterly winds, formed a convergence zone causing heavy rain in many provinces and cities in the North. Heavy rain and severe flooding occurred over a wide area, with rising river levels threatening the lives of the people. The whole country is reaching out to the people in the disaster-stricken areas with solidarity and urgent relief efforts.

On October 8th, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh personally visited Thai Nguyen province to direct the response and recovery efforts following the natural disaster, visit the people, and encourage the forces on duty. The Prime Minister requested that ministries and agencies closely coordinate with local authorities to accelerate the recovery process after the storm and floods, and quickly stabilize the situation for the people in the affected areas.

The Prime Minister directed the immediate implementation of urgent flood prevention and control measures according to the alert level; focusing on reviewing areas with deep flooding and areas at risk of landslides, flash floods, and mudslides to proactively relocate and evacuate residents, ensuring the safety of people's lives above all else.

Previously, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed Decision No. 2221/QD-TTg on providing emergency financial assistance to Thai Nguyen, Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Bac Ninh provinces to overcome the consequences of floods and heavy rains, with a total amount of 140 billion VND from the central government's contingency budget. Of this amount, 50 billion VND was allocated to Thai Nguyen, 30 billion VND to Cao Bang, 30 billion VND to Lang Son, and 30 billion VND to Bac Ninh.

To promptly rescue people in flood-affected areas in provinces heavily damaged by Typhoon No. 11, the military deployed four rescue teams to Thai Nguyen, Cao Bang, Bac Ninh, and Lang Son provinces. A total of over 30,000 officers and soldiers, along with thousands of boats and rescue vehicles, were mobilized; 4 tons of flood relief supplies were transported by helicopter from Regiment 916 to the affected areas, reaching people in severely flooded regions.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/lu-lut-mien-bac-khi-trach-nhiem-xa-hoi-duoc-danh-thuc-330386.html