Ho Chi Minh City: Sleepless nights packing love to send to the 'flood center'

In recent days, as news of severe damage caused by floods in the Central and Central Highlands provinces spread, people in Ho Chi Minh City have shown their deep sense of sharing by coming to relief collection points themselves.

According to the reporter of Cong Thuong Newspaper, at the Thanh Nien Cultural House area (Sai Gon ward), the number of people coming to send relief items on the evening of November 25 has increased significantly. Although there is no large-scale organization or appeal activities, this place still becomes a convenient stop, where people can send the most practical items to promptly support people in flood-affected areas.

*First-year students of Saigon College of Tourism enthusiastically and energetically contribute. Photo: Minh Anh*

The flow of relief supplies is quiet and constant.

In contrast to the usual quietness, the atmosphere at the Youth Cultural House these days is as bustling as a field construction site. At the gathering areas, goods are clearly divided from boxes of instant noodles, drinks, milk, to thin blankets and flashlights, all neatly arranged in rows.

With the spirit of mutual love and solidarity, without anyone telling them, hundreds of students from universities in Ho Chi Minh City spontaneously gathered. Without any assignment from superiors, without any direct management, each person contributed, turning the large yard into a giant logistics center, providing emergency support to the flooded area.

*From instant noodle boxes, drinks, milk, to thin blankets and flashlights, everything is neatly arranged in rows. Photo: Minh Anh*

A group of male students volunteered to take on the heavy work of receiving and carrying dozens of tons of necessities that were pouring in from all over. Inside, the female students divided into small groups, quickly set up tables, enthusiastically guided, and carefully classified and noted each type of goods. This meticulousness was to ensure the transportation was efficient and avoid duplication.

Mr. Do Minh Tam, 27 years old, one of the key volunteers at the collection point, shared: "People come to visit continuously. Some people only send a few packets of noodles or a small carton of water, but others bring large bags of goods. Our job is to check, classify and arrange them to make it as easy as possible to deliver. Each item is from the heart, so we have to do it very carefully."

Mr. Tang Huu Song Binh, an expert of the Youth Union and Children's Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ho Chi Minh City, is also an active volunteer, emphasizing the community spirit: "Here, everyone is united in their efforts. From students to the elderly, everyone finds work to do. We even have an uncle over 60 years old who brought a thin blanket that he had packed himself and said: 'Let's contribute a little bit, hoping that the people out there will have less difficulty.' Seeing everyone working together, everyone can feel the true spirit of solidarity."

*Although there are no large-scale events or activities, this place still becomes a convenient stop. Photo: Minh Anh*

Right next to them, a group of students spread a tarp on the floor and carefully checked each bag of clothes, separating the good items from the old ones. Trong Nhan, a first-year student, said: "I signed up to participate because I wanted to contribute a little effort. Mainly, I was in charge of sorting and noting the expiration dates. Urgent items like milk, instant porridge or flashlights were prioritized and separated to be sent first."

*There is no division of labor, no direct management, each person helps to arrange the goods. Photo: Minh Anh*

Essentials are prioritized

According to volunteers, top priority items are emergency necessities such as drinking water, instant foods (noodles, porridge), basic medicines and personal hygiene items.

*Bags of rice filled with southern sentiment, ready to go to support. Photo: Minh Anh*

*Thousands of bottles of drinking water are ready to help immediately. Photo: Minh Anh*

*The clothes have been carefully sorted to ensure quality when sent to the recipient. Photo: Minh Anh*

Nguyen Huu Trung, a student at FPT University in Ho Chi Minh City, shared: "Whatever the flood area lacks the most, we collect it first to deliver it on time." This priority not only helps prevent the relief goods from being left behind, but also ensures that the most urgent problems are resolved, providing timely and effective support to the people waiting.

Without the need for loud speakers or loud slogans, the collection point still operates quietly but extremely effectively and professionally. Every process takes place urgently: from receiving, counting to sealing each carton, labeling with detailed information. This carefulness demonstrates the highest responsibility, turning each item into a warm word of encouragement from Ho Chi Minh City. All contributors share the same wish that the relief goods must reach the right place, the right person and as soon as possible to promptly alleviate the difficulties and losses that the people of the Central region are suffering.

It is expected that on the evening of November 25, a truck loaded with relief goods will depart for the most heavily affected central provinces.

According to the announcement from the volunteer groups, the collection point at the Youth Cultural House and other satellite points will continue to receive support and relief from the people in the coming time to ensure a continuous and long-term supply source for people rebuilding their lives after the flood.

Currently, Ho Chi Minh City is receiving relief goods for flood victims at the following locations: Headquarters of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City (55 Mac Dinh Chi, Tan Dinh Ward); Social Work Center of Ho Chi Minh City (5 Dinh Tien Hoang, Saigon Ward); 3 Red Cross Association of Ho Chi Minh City bases (No. 201 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, 106 30/4 Street, Phu Loi Ward, 68 Le Loi, Vung Tau Ward).

Source: https://congthuong.vn/tp-ho-chi-minh-dem-khong-ngu-goi-ghem-yeu-thuong-gui-ve-ron-lu-432084.html