Tenants need more support

Lives after the flood

At 11:00 a.m. on November 30, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thoa returned to her rented room at 64 Cau Dua Street - Phu Nong (West Nha Trang Ward) with a bag of relief rice in her hand. The mud stains on the wall and the broken washing machine lying there were reminders of the recent historic flood. Ms. Thoa said: She and her sister's family have rented a room here for nearly a year. Every day, she helps sell coffee with a meager income to support her child in secondary school. On the night of November 19, when the floodwaters rose, she and her child, along with her sister's family, risked their lives swimming to escape the raging water. "The washing machine, refrigerator, TV... were all submerged in water. When we returned, there was nothing left to use," she choked. The water receded, and she hurriedly went to work to make a living. The relief teams arrived while she was away, so she did not receive any gifts. Only today did someone take pity on her and give her a bag of rice. Her already difficult life became even more difficult.

Leaders of Khanh Hoa Newspaper, Radio and Television presented support gifts to people staying in Phu An Nam 4 village, Dien Khanh commune.

Leaders of Khanh Hoa Newspaper, Radio and Television presented gifts to support people staying in Phu An Nam 4 village, Dien Khanh commune.

Ms. Thoa's situation is also the common situation of thousands of people staying in rented houses around the outskirts of Nha Trang, especially in Tay Nha Trang ward - the most flooded area, also the place with the most people staying in rented houses. For example, Residential Group 10 Vinh Hoi (West Nha Trang ward) has about 620 households with more than 1,800 people, of which about 200 households with more than 600 people are renters. "Most of them work as construction workers, lottery ticket sellers, motorbike taxi drivers, street vendors, and scrap collectors. Just a few days off work and they run out of money. The flood damaged all their belongings, and many people lost their jobs. Their lives are very difficult," said Mr. Nguyen Thai Hoa - Head of Residential Group 10 Vinh Hoi.

Entering the small alley next to Ngoc Trang pagoda (Residential Group 10 Vinh Hoi) - where many people stay, right at the beginning of the alley, I met Mr. Nguyen Huu Quy, a motorbike taxi driver who had just returned home after a trip to drop off a passenger nearby. Having stayed here for more than 13 years, Mr. Quy's family could not register for temporary residence because the landlord did not have the house and land papers. "My wife is sick so she cannot go to work. The family only depends on my driving money. During the recent flood, I took 4 days off and spent nearly 1 million VND to repair the motorbike...", he confided.

Not far away is the rented room of Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Ngoc from Phan Rang to Nha Trang to make a living. The couple receives pillows to sell, working one day to eat one day. "Since the flood, we have had to take a day off because the owner's house was flooded and has not yet delivered the goods; I don't have a motorbike so I can't go ask for charity gifts. Luckily, some neighbors shared some packages of noodles...", Mr. Tuan shared. "A few days ago, we heard that people who do not register for temporary residence will not receive support money, we were very sad. Now, hearing the news that the Provincial People's Committee will support all people living in flooded areas with difficult circumstances, including those who have not registered for temporary residence, we are very happy, because the support money will at least help my husband and I pay next month's rent," Ms. Ngoc said with hopeful eyes.

Practical and sustainable support is needed.

Wards: West Nha Trang, North Nha Trang, South Nha Trang and Dien Khanh commune are the suburban areas of Nha Trang city (old), workers often rent accommodation here because of the cheap price. But this is also the area most heavily flooded in the recent flood. Compared to people with houses, people who rent accommodation have more difficulties but receive less support.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Anh Minh - Chairman of Tay Nha Trang Ward People's Committee said: The number of people staying in rented accommodation in the area is very large. The ward's policy is not to distinguish between permanent and temporary residents, anyone in difficult circumstances will be supported.

Charity group gives out gifts at Cat Tien motel, Vo Canh residential group, Tay Nha Trang ward. Photo: Thanh An

Good news for tenants came on November 28, when the Provincial People's Committee announced that those who live in rented houses and boarding houses without temporary residence registration will also receive support like permanent and temporary residents (support level of 1 million VND/person). However, support from the government is only the first step. Tenants need more attention and support. Mr. Nguyen Tan Cuong - Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Khanh commune suggested that now that the food shortage period has passed, businesses and entrepreneurs with a heart should support essential household appliances such as electric fans and rice cookers for people, especially tenants.

In the long term, the People's Committees of communes and wards need to review and support people in registering for temporary residence so that they can fully access social security policies. Localities also need to coordinate with functional agencies to have short-term vocational training support programs for affected freelance workers. "I see that many tenants really need long-term care. Not only rice and instant noodles, but also help them find jobs and stabilize their lives. That is the way to help sustainably," said Ms. Nguyen Huyen Trang, a volunteer participating in the relief effort.

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