Strengthening military-civilian solidarity

Reporter: As a unit with many achievements in mass mobilization work, could you please tell us how the Provincial Military Command evaluates the mass mobilization work of the army?

Colonel Vuong Kim Hai: The mass mobilization work of the Vietnam People's Army is the Party's mass mobilization work, the top requirement of the army in performing the function of a working army - one of the three functions of the heroic Vietnam People's Army. This is one of the important tasks, contributing to building and consolidating the solidarity and close relationship between the people and the army, the army and the people; implementing "the army and the people have one will".

Colonel Vuong Kim Hai once presented the national flag to a fisherman. Photo: Phong Quang

For local military agencies, mass mobilization is a highly valued function, especially in times of peace like today. Meanwhile, Nghe An Military has its own unique characteristics, because this is a heroic unit. Nghe An is also Uncle Ho's hometown with many fine traditions such as "a car has not passed - a house is not spared"... Mass mobilization is the top priority task today.

Colonel, can you tell us what are the current difficulties in mass mobilization work in Nghe An?

In 2018, the economy, culture and society continued to develop, national defense and security were maintained. People believed in the leadership of the Party, actively worked in production, participated in movements and campaigns, especially the new rural construction movement, striving to achieve and exceed the set targets. The security, political situation, social order and safety, the people's situation, and the border were basically stable.

Nghe An soldiers help people with irrigation. Photo: Tien Hung

However, the complicated weather with storms, flash floods, and widespread forest fires has caused significant damage to lives, property, crops, and affected people's lives.

Border lines, illegal immigration, drug crimes, human trafficking, and illegal overseas labor still occur. In the country, some extremist religious dignitaries collude with some reactionary Viet Tan elements to propagate, slander, and defame the leaders of the Party, the State, and the regime, and distort historical events. Taking advantage of the National Assembly's passing of the Cyber ​​Security Law, the Draft Law on Special Economic Zones, and the authorities' trial of a number of reactionary subjects to incite parishioners to gather in large numbers to pray together, hang banners, and slogans with opposing content. Continuing to direct parishes and religious groups to mobilize, encroach, transfer land, build, expand, and expand the premises of places of worship illegally. Causing a significant impact on the political security situation, social order and safety in the area.

Soldiers repair a house for a family in difficult circumstances in Nghi Loc district. Photo: Tien Hung

How has the army's mass mobilization work been carried out in Nghe An over the past year, sir?

We divide the mass mobilization work into four main directions. The first is mass mobilization in special areas. That is, we sponsor Nam Giai commune (Que Phong district). The unit regularly organizes visits, helps people build roads and community houses. In addition, we give cows, organize warm Tet in the Western region of Nghe An. Donate billions of dong to support the people. Mass mobilization by helping the people here not only brings economic results, but also creates motivation for ethnic minorities in labor and production.

The second direction is mass mobilization in the religious areas. Here, in addition to building roads and sponsoring students, the unit also regularly organizes exchanges and strengthens solidarity. Currently, there are 7 women's associations of the unit that have established sister associations with women's associations in religious areas, regularly exchanging and supporting each other. The two remaining tasks are helping people prevent natural disasters and organizing field trips.

Nghe An armed forces launch training in 2018. Photo: Tien Hung

Specifically, last year, the provincial military agencies and units built and replicated 75 "Smart Mass Mobilization" models for economic, cultural and social development. Typical models include: "Helping poor communes in the Western region of the province", "Connecting love between Catholics and non-Catholics", "Charitable meals", "Warm Tet in the Western region of Nghe An", "I love my Fatherland"...

The unit has organized 35 field trips to do mass mobilization work associated with helping localities build new rural areas with a duration of 13-15 days/trip to 75 communes, wards and towns. Of which, 27 communes in the religious areas contributed 59,300 working days, supported 755 tons of cement and 7.6 billion VND, poured 19.5 km of rural concrete roads; presented 4,750 gifts, built 23 gratitude houses and comrade houses. The army also examined and provided free medicine to 1,960 people, presented fishermen at sea with more than 20,000 national flags... totaling more than 12.77 billion VND.

In addition, the unit also mobilized 43,128 officers and soldiers of the regular force, militia and self-defense forces and 254 vehicles to participate in overcoming the consequences of storms, floods and preventing forest fires. In particular, it coordinated with the Provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Committee to mobilize donations, support, provide free medical examinations and medicines, and give gifts to families suffering heavy losses in the three districts of Ky Son, Tuong Duong, and Con Cuong; mobilized more than 2,500 officers and soldiers to help people overcome the consequences of flash floods, with a total value of more than 1 billion VND. Mobilized officers and soldiers to fully contribute to all types of funds "Repaying gratitude", "Day for the poor", "Tet for the poor", "Disaster prevention fund" ... with a total amount of more than 3.5 billion VND.

Currently, the Provincial Military Command has 7 women's associations that have established sister associations with women's associations in religious areas. Photo: Tien Hung

In 2018, the provincial military agencies and units performed well in mass mobilization work, which was highly appreciated by the Military Region, Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People's Committee and localities. Contributing to promoting socio-economic development, consolidating national defense and security, enhancing military-civilian solidarity, and was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army for the emulation movement "Skillful mass mobilization".

What is the direction and mission of the Provincial Military Command regarding mass mobilization work in the coming time, sir?

In the coming time, we will continue to promote the effective implementation of the emulation movement "Skilled Civil Affairs", building "Good Civil Affairs" units associated with the movement "Nghe An Provincial Armed Forces join hands to build new rural areas". Promote the effectiveness and replicate civil affairs models in religious areas and ethnic minority areas.

Continue to direct agencies, units, and armed forces to coordinate well to grasp the situation in the area, especially the border, islands, ethnic minority areas, and religious areas, promptly advise the Party Committee and authorities to effectively resolve incidents occurring in the area, and avoid being passive and surprised.

Colonel Vuong Kim Hai visits and presents gifts to policy families. Photo: Phong Quang

Propaganda and mobilization of officers and soldiers of the provincial armed forces to promote their responsibility in contributing and supporting various funds; actively do a good job of visiting, encouraging and showing gratitude to families of policy beneficiaries, people with meritorious services, and military families with especially difficult circumstances during holidays and Tet.

Coordinate with agencies, departments, branches, and organizations to propagate and mobilize people, organize emulation activities to celebrate and commemorate major national and local holidays; units of the Ministry and Military Regions stationed in the area, actively participate in mass mobilization work, build political bases, build safe areas and help people prevent, combat and overcome the consequences of natural disasters, search and rescue.