Small traders "struggle" after the flood

Small traders at That Khe market, That Khe commune rearrange goods

These days, Ms. Pham Thi Loan, a small trader at That Khe market, That Khe commune, is focusing on cleaning up her stalls at the market, wiping down every item that can still be used after being flooded. Ms. Loan shared: I mainly sell food, dried goods, spices... the recent flood was caused by the flood water rising quickly and my family was short of staff, so I could not move all the goods to a safe area in time. My entire store and warehouse were flooded with about 70% of the goods damaged, the total estimated value is over 300 million VND. This is a huge loss for my family because to have capital for business, I borrowed 100 million VND from the Trang Dinh Social Policy Bank Transaction Office. Currently, to continue to maintain business activities, my family is trying to clean up the store and borrow from friends and relatives to import new goods.

According to preliminary statistics of heavily flooded communes such as Yen Binh, Huu Lung, Van Nham, That Khe, Trang Dinh... there are about 500 small traders who suffered losses due to floods.

Not only Ms. Loan, but also the small traders in Dong But market area, Yen Binh commune are also struggling to overcome the consequences after the flood. Mr. Vu Van Dao, owner of Dao Hang electrical and household goods store, Dong But market, Yen Binh commune said: Born and raised in the commune, this is the first time I have witnessed such severe flooding. Because the flood water rose quickly, my family could not move the goods to higher ground in time. After the flood water receded, most of the goods were affected, covered with mud. According to the family's initial estimate, the value of the damaged goods is about 1 billion VND. All the capital I saved and borrowed from the bank to invest in business is almost lost. For now, my family is focusing on cleaning, sanitizing the store, and classifying goods that can still be used for liquidation to recover some capital. The family is also calculating a plan to import new goods so that business operations are not interrupted.

Mr. Luong Van Binh, Vice Chairman of Yen Binh Commune People's Committee, said: It is estimated that the whole commune has over 100 business households that suffered damage due to the recent flood, many households almost lost everything when goods were swept away by floodwaters, wet or damaged. To support small traders to soon stabilize production and business activities, the Commune People's Committee has coordinated with relevant units to review, count the damage and propose functional agencies to have measures to support small traders, first of all, support necessities, environmental sanitation; coordinate with banks to review affected borrowers to consider, implement loan interest exemption and reduction, debt suspension for new loans to restore production...

According to preliminary statistics of heavily flooded communes such as Yen Binh, Huu Lung, Van Nham, That Khe, Trang Dinh..., about 500 small traders suffered damage due to floods. Currently, to quickly stabilize their lives and business activities, small traders are focusing on cleaning their shops, cleaning their business areas; classifying goods that have not been soaked with water and can still be used; planning and preparing capital to import goods..., gradually restoring business activities.

Along with the initiative of small traders, the authorities of communes and related sectors and units are also focusing on coordinating, reviewing and proposing practical support measures for small traders, especially in terms of capital. Mr. Le Quang Huy, Director of the State Bank of Region 5 said: Due to the impact of storm No. 11, many customers borrowing capital have been affected and suffered heavy losses. In accordance with the direction of the State Bank of Vietnam , we have now directed banks in the province to urgently review and assess the situation of customers borrowing capital to promptly apply support measures, remove difficulties such as restructuring debt repayment terms, considering loan interest exemptions and reductions, and continuing to provide new loans to restore production and business after the storm according to current regulations.

Storm No. 11 has left behind many damages to people's property, especially small traders. Despite being heavily affected, with the efforts and proactiveness of small traders and the companionship and support of all levels and sectors, it is believed that production and business activities will soon be restored, thereby contributing to stabilizing people's lives after the floods.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/tieu-thuong-gong-minh-khac-phuc-hau-qua-sau-mua-lu-5062106.html