The first warm meals to support people in flooded areas of Nghe An

Women in Cay Chanh hamlet, Nhan Hoa commune contributed their time and effort to cook meals to support flooded households. Photo: TP

The storm's circulation and the hydroelectric dam's flood discharge at a record volume have caused many areas in the downstream of Nghe An to be submerged in water. In Nhan Hoa commune (formerly Anh Son district), houses were deeply flooded, many villages were completely isolated, people were unable to react, daily meals suddenly became a luxury when the kitchen was flooded with mud and there was no food left. In that situation, Mr. and Mrs. Thao Cuong in Cay Chanh hamlet decided to set up a kitchen in their house, cooking the first meals to supply families in the flooded areas.

“At first, my husband and I only thought of cooking about 50 meals to support our neighbors. But when we shared the news on social media, many people who heard the news joined hands to contribute rice and vegetables, and people who lived far away sent money to buy food. Just like that, our family’s small kitchen gradually became a place where the whole community gathered together for love,” Ms. Dau Thi Thao emotionally recounted.

After cooking, it is carefully packaged and transported by boat to flooded areas. Photo: TP

This afternoon, the couple's small house was busier than usual. Fifteen sisters, some were busy shopping, some were picking vegetables, and another group was busy cooking. By noon, 165 hot meals were carefully packed, hastily loaded onto boats, and passed through deeply flooded alleys to the isolated families. "We haven't had lunch yet, we just hope that people don't go hungry, don't feel abandoned in the midst of the flood," Thao confided.

That spirit of sharing does not stop at a small kitchen. Also in Nhan Hoa, the spontaneous kitchens of Ms. Hoa Lan, Ms. Ngoc Mai, Ms. Pham Thi Thuy Linh, Mrs. Huong's kitchen, Ms. Huyen Sy's kitchen, Mr. Nguyen Huu Hong's kitchen... quickly became red hot.

Those meals are not only sticky rice and hot soup, but also show the friendship of the neighbors in times of trouble. Photo: TP

Today alone, more than 1,000 meals of love have been delivered to the flood victims in Nhan Hoa. These meals are not only full of meat, fish, and vegetable soup, but also imbued with love, a source of encouragement for the people to firmly overcome the current difficulties.

“This morning, the people of Dinh Hop hamlet received meals of love. Tonight, we continue to receive such meals. Everyone hopes the water will recede quickly so that we can start cleaning up and overcoming the consequences. I am very touched and grateful for everyone's kindness,” Ms. Hoang Loan, a resident, emotionally shared.

Not only stopping at meals, the spirit of “helping each other” also spreads in every small but meaningful action. In Tuong Duong commune, the Farmers’ Association promptly mobilized its members to support deeply flooded households. Dozens of members spread out to flooded areas, helping people sweep away mud, clean up houses, and rebuild dilapidated walls after the flood. Pots of Chung cakes were also hastily wrapped at night, so that the next morning they could be delivered to families who had no home to return to or a place to cook.

“People divided into many cooking spots, each with 5 to 6 people. Families that were not affected took charge of cooking, then moved to the gathering spots for everyone to eat together. This was a practical and meaningful act that members did for each other in times of trouble,” said Vi Duc Tuan, head of the Mon village farmers’ association, Tuong Duong commune farmers’ association.

Mon Village Farmers' Association, Tuong Duong Commune, wraps banh chung to support flooded households. Photo: CSCC

Meanwhile, in Luong Son commune (formerly Do Luong), immediately after receiving information about rising water levels and the possibility of widespread flooding, the Commune Farmers' Association quickly mobilized forces to support people in harvesting nearly 4 hectares of corn in the beach area before the water flooded back. Hands joined hands, some carrying bags, some transporting, after just one morning, the entire corn area was safely collected, narrowly avoiding the risk of total loss.

The spirit of solidarity and affection was further enhanced by the joint efforts of organizations. The Farmers' Association of Nhan Hoa commune coordinated with the Fatherland Front and local organizations to promptly deploy support for necessities and life jackets for families who were deeply flooded and completely isolated. Within just one day, 202 boxes of instant noodles and 64 life jackets were delivered to people in need of relief.

general — These acts of kindness have ignited faith and inspired strength for people in flooded areas to be more steadfast in the face of natural disasters and continue to rebuild their lives. Photo: TP

In the midst of the flood, the images of farmers and women with muddy hands and feet but ready to roll up their sleeves to cook each pot of rice, wrap each banh chung, or brave the rain to collect each bag of corn and rice for the people, have been and are writing beautiful stories, multiplying the strength of the community to overcome the disaster together.

Hot meals in the middle of flooded areas, helping hands, and encouraging hugs are living proof of the spirit of mutual love, the tradition of solidarity and kindness of each citizen. And from the hardships, those hearts have kindled faith, aroused strength for people in flooded areas to be more steadfast in the face of natural disasters, and continue to build their lives.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/nhung-suat-com-am-nong-dau-tien-tiep-suc-cho-nguoi-dan-vung-lu-nghe-an-10303066.html