General Secretary and President To Lam: Mobilizing maximum resources to respond, limit damage, and promptly support people affected by storm No. 3

On the afternoon of September 9, General Secretary and President To Lam chaired a Politburo meeting to assess the situation, direct efforts to overcome the consequences of storm No. 3, and continue to respond to post-storm risks.

At the meeting, after listening to the representative of the Party Central Office quickly report on the damage after storm No. 3, the Politburo discussed and assessed the work of flood and storm prevention and control in recent days, reviewed developments and possible risks, and directed the tasks that need to be focused on immediately, as well as the work that needs to be prepared for the long term.

According to the opinions at the meeting, the relatively accurate forecasting helps the Government to direct the work in a timely manner, and the preparation work for storm prevention and control of sectors and localities to be proactive, contributing to limiting damage. Ministries, sectors and localities prepare well 3 in advance, 4 on-site; localities organize continuous combat duty; forces are mobilized promptly, especially the police and military forces are regularly present at the scene to participate in response, rescue, and relief work...

Information and propaganda work has been very good; the press has been involved in updating the situation fully, continuously contributing positively with local authorities to strengthen preparation, response, and warning people to proactively prevent and ensure safety before, during and after the storm.

General Secretary and President To Lam speaks at the meeting. (Photo: Dang Khoa)

However, this is the biggest storm in the past 30 years in the East Sea, and in 2024 alone, the world has recorded the strongest storm to date. In fact, it has been 70 years since such a big storm made landfall, so when it made landfall in Vietnam, it still caused extremely heavy damage, especially in the provinces of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong.

The Government, the Prime Minister and local authorities are very determined in directing, operating, and mobilizing the entire political system to overcome the consequences and take care of the lives of people in affected areas, especially families that suffered heavy losses.

Localities have been actively searching for victims, conducting rescue operations, and assessing damage to promptly develop support plans, while continuing to mobilize resources to respond to unpredictable weather developments.

Localities are currently actively coping with the developments of storm No. 3. It is forecasted that tonight and the next two days, there will continue to be heavy rains in a large area of the Northern Delta, averaging 70-150mm, with some places exceeding 300mm, leading to a very high risk of flash floods and landslides.

The unified guiding spirit is that the entire political system and people must not be subjective, increase vigilance, and proactively develop plans to deal with unusual and dangerous weather developments. Maximize resource mobilization to ensure safety and stability of people's lives.

Concluding the meeting, General Secretary and President To Lam, on behalf of the Politburo and the Secretariat, commended the efforts and determination of the Government, the Prime Minister, ministries, localities, military forces, police and people in preventing and fighting the recent storm No. 3, contributing to minimizing damage to the extent possible. He also commended the press agencies and media for their active propaganda, contributing to warning and promoting the spirit of early and remote response.

The General Secretary and President sent condolences to the relatives and families of the comrades who died while on duty; and shared the loss and pain of the families who lost their lives or suffered heavy damage due to the storm.

He affirmed that the State and Government will mobilize maximum resources to support, provide relief, and ensure safety for the people, all for the sake of people's lives first and foremost.

Regarding the current situation, the General Secretary and President emphasized, storm no. 3 The past is over, but the consequences and developments that follow are issues that need special attention because they will be extremely difficult and will occur on a large scale. For example, in the case of flooding, isolation of areas, accessing people to provide supplies and relief is very difficult, some places do not yet have a plan, it is urgent. Along with that are lurking dangers such as flash floods, landslides, damage to traffic works...

Note that the heavy rain continues to occur, showing that the situation is very urgent. The General Secretary and President requested the Government, ministries, branches and localities to continue to mobilize maximum resources and forces to respond and minimize possible damage. In the immediate future, localities in the storm-affected areas should limit other activities, focus on relief and rescue; deploy plans to reach people to support food and clean water to help people overcome difficult times.

Each ministry, branch and locality must increase its initiative, closely follow the local situation, and carry out its tasks well, without waiting for instructions or support. The Government directs localities nationwide to promote the spirit of solidarity, mutual love and support, and support localities facing difficulties, clearly assigning support to key areas of damage and danger, providing adequate food and necessities, and not letting any people go hungry. Priority is given to timely support for families in difficulty, disaster, with the elderly, children, and sick people, etc. Along with timely support and care for people's lives, it is necessary to pay full attention to means, essential supplies, and food for forces on duty to ensure combat strength.

Dike inspection work must be carried out closely, detecting high-risk areas for reinforcement and protection. Organizing the evacuation of people in dangerous areas to safe places. Calculating and considering flood discharge regulation in a reasonable manner, with close coordination between localities to achieve overall balance. Focusing on immediately overcoming traffic incidents; strengthening traffic plans (including air routes) to ensure that response, relief and rescue work is not interrupted, especially in remote and difficult areas.

Continue to promote the spirit of solidarity and mutual love throughout the country, organize a campaign to raise funds to support people affected by storm No. 3. Continue to do a good job of propaganda, update the situation promptly to provide quick and complete information, actively warn and guide people to proactively prepare plans for their families, avoid subjectivity and danger. Strengthen security and order to protect people's property. Urgently restore medical and educational facilities so that children can continue the new school year and people can receive health care. Clean the environment to prevent and control epidemics.

Source