Heartwarming meals during the flood...
During the torrential rains and floods in Nghe An, when houses and fields were swept away by the water, the lives of people in low-lying areas became even more difficult. The hot meals delivered directly to the people became a source of warmth and comfort. These simple meals, filled with kindness and compassion, provided a source of spiritual support, helping people to persevere through the flood season.
"A little something when you're hungry is worth more than a lot when you're full."
For the past two days, the kitchen of Ms. Nga Hung, owner of Hung Thuc transportation company in Bach Ngoc commune, has been constantly bustling with activity. Pots of white rice and pans of steaming food are continuously being prepared, packed into boxes, and sent to flood victims in Tan An, Tan Phu, and Nghia Hanh districts.
Ms. Nga shared her feelings: “Working in transportation services and traveling to many places, I know that people's lives are still very difficult. Now that the floods have hit, those hardships have multiplied many times over. Just thinking about people surrounded by water, hungry and cold, I can't sleep.” On the night of September 30th, after seeing images of people isolated by the floods on social media, Ms. Nga decided to post an announcement that she would cook 300 free meals. Surprisingly, the information immediately spread like wildfire. People contributed rice, others gave bunches of bananas, bundles of vegetables, and eggs; the drivers in her team helped with transportation. From the initial 300 meals, in just two days, Ms. Nga cooked 2,000 warm meals and made 10 trips, delivering food to the flood-affected areas in a timely manner.
Besides providing plenty of rice and soup, she also prepared dried food, bread, milk, and bottled water… “Helping people in need is a great joy. When I saw people tearfully receiving each meal, I realized how meaningful what I was doing truly was,” Ms. Nga shared, her eyes shining with joy mixed with emotion.
In the spirit of "helping those in need," the Anh Son Online volunteer group quickly connected with the Hanoi City Charitable Hearts Club to launch the "Warm Meals During Flood Season" program. In addition to their own funds, the members actively solicited support from numerous organizations, groups, and benevolent individuals both within and outside the district. Within hours of the appeal, meat, rice, vegetables, gas, firewood, and other supplies were delivered, transforming the communal kitchen into a place where fires burned day and night.
Around 30 members of the group—shoppers, processors, cooks, drivers—were all busy and dedicated. Some stayed up all night cooking, others waded through deep water to deliver meals to individual households, all sharing a single goal: ensuring that no one in the flood-affected areas went hungry or was left behind.
Mr. Bui Cong Chinh - Deputy Head of the volunteer group shared: “The group has been providing relief in various places for 5 years, from Quang Tri to Lao Cai. This time, the people in the district suffered heavy losses. Without external resources, we decided to cook 3,000 meals ourselves to support the most severely flooded areas. Each member did their part: some cut the meat, others picked vegetables, washed the rice, and started the stove.”
There were days when we stayed up all night slaughtering pigs so that we would have food ready to cook lunch for the villagers; other days we had to wade through floodwaters, distributing meals until late at night. Even when the rice was cooked late, we still tried our best, wading through the water and rowing boats to deliver each box of rice to every house. Seeing the villagers receive it with such emotion, all the hardships vanished.”
Not only those already involved in volunteer work, but even residents of the flooded areas voluntarily contributed. For example, Mr. Tran Quyet Thang, from residential group 7, Anh Son commune, even though his own house was flooded and he hadn't had time to clean up his belongings, still joined the volunteer group to cook, portion, and distribute meals to the affected people. Mr. Thang shared: “At this time, human kindness is the driving force for everyone to recover after the flood. Being able to contribute, even just a small part, is a source of happiness.”
From Ms. Nga's kitchen to the communal rice pot of the Anh Son Online group, these hot meals have extended the spirit of compassion of the people of Nghe An province. They not only warm the hearts of the people but also ignite hope, helping everyone to stand firm in overcoming the floods.
The government stands alongside and shares in compassion.
On the night of October 1st, as floodwaters in Nghia Dong commune continued to recede slowly, isolating many villages, the local authorities promptly organized boat trips to deliver essential supplies such as boxed meals, instant noodles, and drinking water to each household. Ms. Le Thi Diem Huong, Chairwoman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Nghia Dong commune, affirmed: "We will maintain this support effort, ensuring no household lacks necessities during this difficult time."
Those simple but timely meals have given the people renewed hope and motivation. Mr. Nguyen Trong Tinh, a resident of Nghia Dong commune, said emotionally: “My house was flooded up to the roof, and my family of five was evacuated to a safe place by the authorities. For two days we took refuge from the flood, receiving hot meals three times a day was very touching and heartwarming.”
Not only in Nghia Dong commune, but many other communes in the province are also promoting the spirit of "mutual support and compassion" through collective kitchens. In Van Du commune, responding to the Party Committee's directive, the Women's Union of the commune has taken the initiative to cook meals for the households relocated to the commune's Military Command headquarters. The people were able to gather together and enjoy a hot meal during difficult times, clearly feeling the concern of the Party Committee, the government, and mass organizations.
In Lam Thanh commune, youth union members also set up kitchens right at the commune's Military Command to serve the armed forces and volunteers who are working day and night to support the people. These simple but warm meals have provided energy and boosted the morale of those on the front lines overcoming the consequences of the storm and floods.
It can be said that local authorities and organizations not only care for the material well-being of the people, but also share and support them spiritually. In the most difficult times, this companionship has helped people feel that they are not alone, that the whole community stands by them.
This year's floods have severely impacted Nghe An and many other central provinces. Houses, crops, and livestock have been swept away, and lives have been turned upside down. But amidst the disaster, the spirit of solidarity and compassion has shone brightly. Warm meals and timely relief supplies are the clearest evidence of the power of sharing. From individuals like Ms. Nga Hung, to charitable groups like Anh Son Online, and the responsible involvement of the government and organizations, all have formed a large embrace to support the flood victims. And in the memories of those who experienced this natural disaster, they will forever remember not only the losses but also the warm memories of human kindness and meals filled with love.
