Society

Nghe An Youth and the journey to support people after storms and floods

Thanh Quynh • September 18, 2024 13:55

In recent days, through the Youth Union's channel, Nghe An youth have called for more than 2.8 billion VND and dozens of tons of necessities to hand to localities affected by natural disasters. Behind the journey that must be measured in thousands of kilometers, the volunteer groups of Nghe An youth have written stories about national love and noble compatriotism in the difficult period of the country.

Through the Youth Union channel, Nghe An youth have called for more than 2.8 billion VND and dozens of tons of necessities to donate to localities affected by natural disasters. Behind the journey of thousands of kilometers, the volunteer groups of Nghe An youth have joined hands to strengthen national solidarity and noble compatriotism in the difficult period of the country.

Thanh Quynh • September 18, 2024

At noon on September 16, the volunteer group of Nghia Dan district's youth arrived at Lang Nu village, Phuc Khanh commune, Bao Yen district (Lao Cai) after a journey of more than 1,400 km. Setting foot on this land that has just suffered unspeakable losses, Mr. Ho Van Dai - Secretary of the Youth Union of Nghia Duc commune, Nghia Dan district, had tears in his eyes as the atmosphere of mourning still enveloped every trace of mud, every ruined house, and the heartbreaking cries of the survivors.

According to the latest survey by the authorities of Bao Yen district, the flash flood buried 40 houses of 33 households, leaving 66 people dead and missing. After the flash flood and landslide, 87 people in Lang Nu village were safe. Although they escaped danger, they still carry with them inseparable pain. More than ever, they need support not only materially but also spiritually, to be able to recover from the many sorrows.

During this trip, Mr. Ho Van Dai and other volunteers sent to the local people 5 tons of rice, 100 million VND in cash and necessities that Nghia Dan District Youth Union had coordinated with other units to call for and mobilize in recent days.

Previously, the volunteer group of Nghia Dan district's youth was also present in Son Ha commune, Bao Thang district, Lao Cai province. Here, the youth handed over thousands of essential goods to local people with a total value of more than 280 million VND. That is the sentiment that Nghia Dan people sent through the District Youth Union's appeal channel to the poor people who suffered a lot of damage due to storms and floods in Lao Cai province.

For the youth of the coastal land of Dien Chau, the Youth Union branches in the whole district have become a bridge to call for and mobilize more than 10 tons of necessities, with a total value of more than 470 million VND to support the people of Bac Giang province.

On September 14, the District Youth Union Standing Committee established a delegation to transport and hand over all 10 tons of necessities of cadres, union members and people of Dien Chau district to the Red Cross Society of Bac Giang province. Present here, the Union officials also used the budget contributions and fundraising during the year to give to people in difficult circumstances who suffered heavy losses after the fierce storm.

In Yen Bai province, the Youth Union of Nghe An Provincial Police coordinated with the Youth Union of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam, Nghe An branch, and other units and benefactors to form a delegation to directly visit and give cash and necessities to people in flood-affected areas. The delegation presented 80 million VND in cash, more than 1,000 gifts including necessities, food, drinks, fast food, with a total value of 70 million VND. The Women's Union of the Provincial Police also called for support of other essential necessities for people in flood-affected areas such as: milk, mineral water, instant noodles, dry food, clothes, notebooks, diapers, hygiene products for women and children, etc.

In Hai Phong, on the morning of September 10, 100 Nghe An youths, led by Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union Tran Linh, arrived in Hai Phong city, closely coordinating with local units to deploy activities to support people in overcoming the consequences of storm Yagi. As soon as they reached the city, Nghe An youth volunteers temporarily put aside their fatigue after a long journey through the night and immediately started to support the recovery, such as coordinating to clean up, clear, cut down fallen tree branches, remove obstacles, restore traffic, and clean the environment at public places such as hospitals, schools, etc.

In the volunteer group, there are some very special young people. For example, Dau Phi Bao, born in 2002 in Mai Hung ward, Hoang Mai town, who has just completed his military service and returned to his hometown, has actively participated in youth activities and was trusted by the locality to be assigned the task of Secretary of the Youth Union of Toan Thang residential group. Immediately after receiving information about the establishment of a volunteer team to support the people of Hai Phong city, Bao immediately registered to participate. For Bao and the members of the volunteer team, participating in supporting the recovery of the consequences of storms and floods not only contributes to helping Hai Phong city restore normal life soon but also demonstrates the spirit of solidarity and sharing in the community, spreading noble human values ​​in society.

Until now, Ms. Ngo Thi Thu Huong - Principal of Nam Hai Kindergarten, Hai An District, Hai Phong City is still moved when recalling the image of Nghe An youth volunteers: "They came at the right time when we needed them most, when everything seemed to be devastated after Typhoon Yagi. They helped our school clean up the school grounds and classrooms, deal with fallen trees and roofs that were blown off after the storm. Those efforts contributed to supporting the school to welcome the children back to school 4 days earlier than expected."

As for Ms. Hoang Thi Be (born in 1955) in Long Son village, Tri Yen commune, Yen Dung district (Bac Giang), she also had many emotions when remembering the youth volunteers of Dien Chau district. She said that her family is a poor household, living on a few fields and a few pigs and chickens raised in a coop. The recent storm washed away almost all of the family's accumulated assets. Her small house was flooded, all the furniture was severely damaged, and the fields and fruit trees in the garden were gone. Therefore, "when I saw the young volunteers coming to help, I felt somewhat comforted. They did not mind the long distance, rain or shine, wading through mud to come to my house to bring necessities and cash. I am truly grateful, not only for the material help but also for the hearts and feelings they have for me and the local people".

The feelings of Ms. Huong and Mrs. Be are also the common gratitude of many people in the flood-hit areas towards the youth of Nghe An. Not only the material figures, those special charity trips have left a beautiful mark on the spirit of solidarity and noble deeds of young people in the face of the common pain of the country.

For each member of the volunteer group, the trip was also an opportunity to learn and grow. Mr. Ho Van Dai shared: "We not only came to give but also to receive many lessons about kindness and resilience from the people, in the most difficult circumstances."

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As of September 16, the Youth Union chapters at all levels in the province have mobilized and called for 2.8 billion VND in cash. Along with that are essential items including: 4,050 life jackets, 3,315 kg of dry food, 5,053 boxes of instant noodles, 1,963 boxes of fresh milk, 44,150 banh chung, 2,000 bags of social security medicine, 2,650 boxes of filtered water... Dozens of youth volunteer teams in localities of Nghe An province have participated in transporting and supporting the packaging of essential goods to send to the people in the North affected by the floods.