Warmth of human love in natural disasters

Warm and affectionate

During the recent flood caused by the circulation of storm No. 4, the house of Ms. Nguyen Thi Van - a teacher at Quynh Dien Kindergarten (Quynh Luu) was deeply submerged in water. Ms. Van's family lives at the end of the village, which is the lowest and most flooded area in the area, the water in the yard rose up to her chest.

Recalling the historic flood days in early October, Ms. Van is still haunted: “The water rose too high, my husband was working far away, we had a small child, I didn’t have time to store things and move the poultry… After just one night, the water rose to the bed, I couldn’t cook in the kitchen, I couldn’t take my child anywhere, I was very scared. On that first day of flooding, when I saw the green union uniforms with boats and relief goods at the gate, I was extremely moved. I was even more surprised when the people who came to give gifts were union officials of Quynh Luu district, with necessities such as water, instant noodles, dry food, milk… They were the first people to come to my family”.

Quynh Luu district union officials promptly provided necessities to union members and workers in difficult circumstances during the flood. Photo: CSCC

In the same situation as Ms. Van's family is the family of Mr. Vu Van Trung - a security guard of the Giat Market Management Board. In the "slum" area of ​​24 houses of the material village, his house is one of the two households most heavily affected, with water rising up to the gate. In that situation, the trade union was also the first organization to come to support his family. "I could not hold back my emotions when I saw my colleagues from the Market Management Board's Trade Union helping to bring my family to a high, safe place, creating conditions for us to have a place to eat and stay. I was also very happy to receive the attention and visits of the working group of the Provincial and District Labor Federations right after the incident happened. The gift from the trade union may not be large in material terms, but its meaning and spiritual value cannot be measured, it has encouraged and comforted us in the most difficult and desperate times" - Mr. Trung confided.

The delegation of the Provincial Federation of Labor visited and presented gifts to Quynh Hong Kindergarten. Photo: Thanh Van

It can be said that the timeliness of the Quynh Luu District Labor Federation's unions at all levels in supporting and accompanying union members and workers has created a strong spread, not only in the district. Sharing about this quick support, Ms. Vu Thi Giang - Vice President of the Quynh Luu District Labor Federation said: "The houses of our union officials were also flooded, water also entered the house, so more than anyone else, we understand the hardship and urgency of union members and workers in lower areas, with more difficult circumstances. On the morning of September 29, the District Labor Federation immediately directed grassroots unions to update the situation, check union members who havedifficult circumstancesin the heavily flooded areas to provide timely support. Witnessing the joy of receiving gifts from workers in especially difficult circumstances such as families with many children, single mothers, etc., we understand that our timely action was the right one. I myself am also extremely grateful for the dedication and devotion of union officials for union members. To deliver gifts directly to those in need, many union officials had to borrow vehicles, and on the way, they fell off their vehicles and got lost..."

The Provincial Labor Federation presents gifts to orphans whose parents died in floods. Photo: CSCC.

In Nghi Loc and Dien Chau districts - two of many localities with both human and property losses, the district's Trade Union also promptly visited the families of the victims. The Women's Union of Nghi Loc District Labor Federation coordinated with the District Women's Union to direct the Women's Union of the District Party Committee and the People's Bloc to donate to sponsor 3 children who lost both parents due to being swept away by floods in Nghi Lam commune within 4 years (from 2022 to 2026). The Dien Chau District Labor Federation and representatives of organizations in the district visited, encouraged and presented gifts to the relatives of 2 families whose relatives died due to the effects of storm No. 4.

Also in the first days of the flood, leaders of the Provincial Labor Federation directly visited and gave gifts to support families of union members and workers in difficult circumstances in Nghi Loc and Quynh Luu districts.

The Power of Unity

Since the flash flood, the Zalo group of the Ky Son District Union officials has been updated with new information continuously. Messages can arrive at any time of the day, messages from grassroots union units. Some messages report on activities, some update the situation of union members and workers in difficulty, some call for support at a specific address...

As the union president of one of the most active grassroots unions in supporting the people, Ms. Dang Thi Huyen shared that since the flood came, all the staff and union members in the school have no concept of days off or working hours. She said: “Our school is lucky not to be affected much by this flood, in the school there is only one teacher whose family had a collapsed wall behind her house. Therefore, during the days off, we focus all our resources on supporting our colleagues in theother schoolAll 23 staff and teachers in the school were mobilized to participate in this work, including pregnant teachers who responded by helping with light tasks.

Union members of Pha Danh Kindergarten (Ky Son) clean up mud on a day off. Photo: CSCC

Ms. Huyen and her husband are also individuals who actively mobilize donations for people in the flood center. Originally from Do Luong, she took advantage of her relationships, called for donations of necessities and clothes from Do Luong people, then contacted the bus company, sponsored a "zero-dong bus" to transport donations to the people, and support the Khmu students...

“There are many people like Ms. Huyen, many grassroots unions like Pha Danh Kindergarten in Ky Son district. The spirit of solidarity, mutual support and mutual love of everyone has been and is creating a proud collective strength. Up to this point, Ky Son district still has a lot of work to do, work, facilities, electricity, roads, schools, stations are still very messy, but I believe that the solidarity of organizations, individuals in general and the Union in particular will soon bring people's lives back to normal", Mr. Dau Viet Cuong - Chairman of the Labor FederationKy Son districtshare.

Union members of Ca Ta Kindergarten (Ky Son) join hands to support flood victims. Photo: CSCC

This spirit reminds me of the sharing of Mr. Tran Xuan Tung - Chairman of the Union of Quynh Hong Secondary School, Quynh Luu District. He said: “As a union officer, supporting union members and workers in times of natural disasters and hardships is an obvious responsibility, without having to wait for assignment or expect recognition. Above all, union officers must also be pioneers in supporting and calling for help for the people.”

Joining hands to share with the district and grassroots trade unions, on October 4, the delegation of Nghe An Provincial Labor Federation led by Mr. Nguyen Chi Cong - Vice Chairman presented 50 million VND to support union members and workers in Ky Son district affected by natural disasters. This is the amount of money that the Provincial Labor Federation has taken from the fund for storm and flood prevention and control and from the support of the Hanoi City Labor Federation to provide emergency support to union members and workers in Nghe An affected by floods caused by storm No. 4. On the morning of October 5, authorized by Nghe An Provincial Labor Federation, Ky Son District Labor Federation visited and supported union members in the district. Accordingly, the Provincial Labor Federation supported 32 gifts, the District Labor Federation 19 gifts for families of union members affected by losses. Each gift is worth from 500,000 VND - 3,000,000 VND.

The Provincial Labor Federation supports union members and workers in Ky Son district to overcome the consequences of flash floods. Photo: CSCC

Ky Son District Labor Federation presents gifts to union members affected by natural disasters. Photo: CSCC