Militia members – The unsung heroes in times of hardship.

In times of hardship, there are always militia members.

In the late afternoon of mid-September 2024, while preparing dinner with his family, Vi Van Hieu, Commander of the Military Command of Chieu Luu commune (Ky Son district), received a phone call reporting a landslide in Xieng Thu village, threatening the lives of many households. In this remote commune of Nghe An province, such phone calls have become all too familiar to Hieu over the past 15 years, since he joined the armed forces.militiaQuickly putting down his chopsticks, Mr. Hieu prepared his belongings and simultaneously mobilized dozens more militia members from the commune to the village.

Very quickly, the militia of Chieu Luu commune arrived at Xieng Thu village. “It was already getting dark, and it was raining heavily. But it was still clear enough to see rocks and soil flowing down from the mountain like a stream,” recounted Hieu. More than 20 militia members seemed to know exactly what they had to do and immediately got to work. One group quickly went to each house to evacuate people to safety. The rest divided up the tasks of moving belongings and dismantling the houses most seriously threatened by landslides.

Among the houses in danger from the landslide was the imposing wooden house of Mr. La Van Chien (48 years old), which had only been built less than 9 months ago. “The rocks and soil fell so quickly. Even with the help of the militia, we only managed to dismantle the roof tiles and a few wooden planks. Not long after, the entire house was buried. If it weren't for the militia, we probably wouldn't have had time to move our belongings,” Mr. Chien said.

Realizing that Mr. Chien's house was beyond saving, Mr. Vi Van Hieu immediately commanded the militia to move on to dismantling other houses nearby. "We still managed to dismantle two other wooden houses next to it. If we hadn't acted quickly, those houses would have been buried as well," Mr. Hieu recounted... As soon as the rain stopped and the rocks and soil on the mountain ceased falling, the militia worked together to clean up the site and help the residents rebuild their homes. The work lasted for many days.

Mr. Vi Van Hieu said: "In this remote commune, landslides occur continuously every rainy season, and helping people prevent and mitigate them has become very familiar to the militia force. Whenever we see heavy rain, everyone in the force is ready to wait for the phone call and head out. Not only do we evacuate people or help dismantle houses, but we also have to be on standby at dangerous points."

One of the points where the militia must be on duty 24/7 during heavy rains is the Xieng Thu bridge, located on the road from National Highway 7 to Bao Thang commune. At this bridge, the water flows fiercely and floods more than 1 meter during heavy rains. In previous years, two people have been swept away and died after trying to cross the fast-flowing water. “Despite the rain and cold, the militia members are still on duty at both ends of the bridge. If people crossing don't have urgent business, they are asked to turn back. But in unavoidable cases, such as going to the hospital, we have to brave the danger and carry people and vehicles across the bridge safely,” said Vi Van Hieu.

Speaking about the local militia, Mr. Lo Van Cang, Chairman of the People's Committee of Chieu Luu commune, said: “The militia plays a very important role in the locality. They are the core force on duty, leading the way in disaster prevention and control; helping people overcome hardships and dangers. Besides disaster prevention and control, in normal times, this force also contributes significantly to supporting people in labor and production; maintaining security and order; disseminating information and mobilizing the people; directly patrolling and protecting forests; and participating in building new rural areas. And not only participating in disaster prevention and control in the commune, when other communes in the district are hit by flash floods or landslides, the commune's militia is also ready to go and help. Wherever needed, the militia is there. Whatever is difficult, the militia is there.”

"Save lives" - A command from the heart.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Ha Van Tuan – Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Command BoardMilitaryKy Son District: Ky Son is a district with high, steep hills and mountains; it has many ravines and streams, so natural disasters such as landslides and flash floods frequently occur, causing great damage to people and property. At these times, the local militia and self-defense forces have played a core role in prevention and control work.

For example, during the historic flash floods that occurred in October 2022 in Ta Ca commune and Muong Xen town, the district's militia force, with over 300 people, helped people evacuate safely, risked their lives to search for property, actively worked to overcome the consequences, and rebuilt houses for the people.

Similar to Ky Son district, Que Phong mountainous border district still suffers from many natural disasters, storms, floods, and forest fires every year. In difficult and dangerous situations, the militia and self-defense forces of Que Phong district are always present in a timely manner, standing side by side with other forces and the people to prevent, combat, and overcome the consequences.

Lieutenant Colonel Truong Khac Hao, Commander of the Que Phong District Military Command, said: "During periods of heavy rain, floods, and storms like the one caused by Typhoon Yagi in September 2024, the lives and property of hundreds of households were threatened. Undeterred by the danger, the militia always selflessly helped families evacuate people and move their belongings to safe places. These militia members are silent heroes, always ready to face any difficulties and challenges to protect the community. The people in the communes on both sides of the Hieu River always regard the militia soldiers as their benefactors."

Nghe An province is located in a tropical monsoon region with complex topography, climate, and hydrology; it frequently experiences storms, tropical depressions, thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rain, floods, landslides, and inundation; there is a risk of fire, explosions, building collapses, mine collapses, forest fires, and other accidents causing damage to people, property, and infrastructure.

According to statistics, from 2014 to 2025, Nghe An province was affected by 17 typhoons, 4 tropical depressions; 176 thunderstorms and lightning strikes; 36 periods of heavy rain, including those causing flash floods, landslides, and widespread flooding; 212 fire and explosion incidents, 265 forest fires, 422 maritime accidents and drownings, and 2 military aircraft accidents.

During these natural disasters, storms, and floods, wherever you go, you see images of militia and self-defense forces rushing into the most difficult areas. In those places and at those critical times, the militia and self-defense forces are often the first to arrive and also the last to leave the scene once the work is done. For them, saving people is a command from the heart.

"

Regardless of the circumstances, the militia and self-defense forces of Nghe An always strive to fulfill their assigned tasks well, worthy of the trust of the Party and the support, nurturing, and protection of the people...

Colonel Dinh Bat Van – Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Nghe An Provincial Military Command

To ensure the militia force fulfills its nhiệm vụ, in the coming period, the Provincial Military Command will continue to build and organize training to improve the capacity and quality of the militia force, ensuring sufficient personnel, political quality, and skills; advise Party committees at all levels on ensuring material and spiritual support, and policy work for the militia force during the performance of its duties; and ensure that it serves as the core force for building a national defense system at the grassroots level and strengthening the political and spiritual potential of the entire population.