General Phan Van Giang sends a letter of encouragement to the military and militia forces in the fight against storm No. 3

On September 11, Minister of National Defense, General Phan Van Giang sent a letter of encouragement to officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army and the Militia and Self-Defense Force who are actively participating in preventing, combating and overcoming the consequences of storm No. 3.

Weather today (September 12): Heavy rain continues in the North

The United States will provide $1 million in emergency assistance to Vietnam to overcome damage caused by storm No. 3.

In the letter, General Phan Van Giang stated:

Faced with the complicated developments of storm No. 3, thoroughly grasping and strictly implementing the direction of the Politburo, the Secretariat, the Government, the Prime Minister, the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense and the orders of the commanders; officers and soldiers of the Army and Militia units in the northern localities quickly deployed storm prevention and avoidance measures in their units and in their stationed areas; promptly propagandizing, mobilizing, and supporting people to evacuate; calling on and guiding boats and people to safe storm shelters.

Officers and soldiers urgently cleared fallen trees to help people restore traffic.

With the spirit of "human life is above all", "wherever there is difficulty and danger, there are soldiers" and the motto "4 on-the-spot"; the comrades have strictly maintained combat readiness while organizing forces and means to promptly be present in key, difficult, arduous and dangerous places, taking the lead in flood and storm prevention and control, search and rescue, helping people overcome the consequences of storm No. 3; the actions of the comrades have set a shining example of the mettle, will and courage of "sacrificing oneself for the people" of the People's Army, typically Captain Nguyen Dinh Khiem, Captain of Company 3, Battalion 1, Brigade 513, Military Region 3, who heroically sacrificed himself while on duty, leaving behind endless sorrow for his family and comrades, and admiration among the officers, soldiers of the Army and the People.

Officers and soldiers of Division 316, Military Region 2, search for victims and overcome the consequences of flash floods in Lang Nu village, Phuc Khanh commune, Bao Yen district, Lao Cai province. (Photo: Ministry of National Defense)

On behalf of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense, I commend and praise the great efforts and determination of comrades in participating in preventing, combating and overcoming the consequences of storm No. 3. In the coming days, the post-storm developments will be very complicated and unpredictable; people's lives and properties will continue to be threatened; the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense trust and hope that comrades will further uphold their mettle and determination, promote revolutionary heroism, the tradition of "Determination to Fight and Determination to Win" of the heroic Vietnam People's Army, "national love and compatriotism", unite and coordinate to absolutely protect the safety of the lives and properties of the State and the people, and more actively help the people of the northern provinces promptly overcome the consequences of the storm, quickly stabilize their lives; at the same time, ensure absolute safety in performing their tasks."

Huu Lung District Police and Battalion 7, Regiment 141 supported people, including many elderly people, to escape from flooded areas in Hoa Lac Commune, Huu Lung District, Lang Son.

Recently, the Army mobilized nearly 458,000 officers and soldiers (regular troops, militia, and reserve forces) and more than 10,100 vehicles of all kinds to respond to storm No. 3. Of these, there were more than 400 special vehicles, thousands of cars, boats, and 6 helicopters. Military Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5; and the Hanoi Capital Command supported people in securing their houses and evacuating from dangerous areas.

The Military Industry and Telecommunications Group (Viettel) has also mobilized 6,500 people, more than 110 information rescue teams, and equipped thousands of generators to avoid information and transmission line disruptions, ensuring communication safety during the storm's landfall.

Lieutenant Nguyen Dinh Khiem. (Photo: People's Army Newspaper)

During the course of carrying out the mission, there were losses and sacrifices. On September 7, Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Dinh Khiem, 27 years old, Captain of Company 3, Brigade 513, Military Region 3 sacrificed while participating in a mobile task force to help the people of Pat village (Pat village), Luc Hon commune, Binh Lieu district, Quang Ninh province. On the way back after collecting materials, seeing his teammate slip and possibly be crushed by a tree, Senior Lieutenant Khiem rushed in to help him and fell.

Major Tran Quoc Hoang.

On September 8, Major Tran Quoc Hoang (37 years old, from My Hao, Hung Yen province, an officer at Quang Ninh Prison) sacrificed his life while bravely braving the rain and wind to open the back gate of the prison to drain the water in the prison area, ensuring the safety of his teammates and the prisoners inside. However, due to the strong and fast-flowing water, after opening the gate, he was swept away by the flood.

The President signed a decision to posthumously award the Third Class Fatherland Protection Medal to Captain Nguyen Dinh Khiem, who died in storm No. 3. (Photo: Ministry of National Defense)

On September 9, President To Lam signed a decision to posthumously award the Second Class Fatherland Protection Medal to Major Tran Quoc Hoang and the Third Class Fatherland Protection Medal to Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Dinh Khiem. In addition, the Military Youth Committee, General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army also proposed to posthumously award the "Brave Youth" Badge to Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Dinh Khiem. These are shining examples of bravery and willingness to sacrifice to protect the property and lives of the people, contributing to beautifying the image and fine traditions of Uncle Ho's soldiers.

After the storm: many activities return to normal from September 12

Since September 12, many activities have officially returned to normal after a period of interruption due to the impact of floods. Students at many universities have returned to school, the coal industry has recovered production, and clean water has been provided, contributing to stabilizing the lives of local people.

Many international organizations support Vietnamese people affected by storm No. 3

The Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) said that the Ministry has contacted and received commitments from international organizations to provide emergency relief to people affected by storm No. 3.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/dai-tuong-phan-van-giang-gui-thu-dong-vien-luc-luong-quan-doi-va-dan-quan-trong-cuoc-chien-voi-bao-so-3-204716.html