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| Preparing nutritious meals |
Meals that crossed the floodwaters
The person who posted the clip was Ms. Luong Thi Kim Ngoc, a midwife at Thuan An Health Station Branch 2 - Thuan Hoa Health Center, and a member of the Phat Thien Tam Charity Association. Answering my call, Ms. Ngoc spoke hurriedly and hastily that members of the Phat Thien Tam Association were coordinating with the Women’s Union of Thuan An ward to pack meals.
“The vehicle is coming now. We’ve just found a vehicle to take us from Phu Thuan to Dien Bien Phu Street. From there to the hospital, we were told we would have to travel by boat, and we would figure it out then. I couldn't sleep all night last night. We’re in a dry place, but seeing people trapped in the flood, hungry and cold, it breaks my heart. Everyone is joining hands, sharing whatever we can, hoping to warm people’s hearts,” said Ms. Ngoc, breaking down in tears.
“Is Thuan An road deeply flooded? Can’t we get through? Take the Truong Ha bridge route then. Hurry, please.” Constantly interrupted by hurried exchanges among members, mixed with the sound of heavy rain, Ms. Ngoc and I “postponed” our phone call, agreeing to talk after the 1,000 meals had been delivered into the hands of patients and their caregivers. It was 3 PM at that time.
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| Mr. Nguyen Van Chinh, Chairman of Phu Ho Commune People’s Committee, presenting gifts to flood victims |
At 6 PM, I called back. “We still haven’t reached the hospital yet. We’ve just passed An Cuu market a bit, now stuck on Hung Vuong street,” hastily said Ms. Ngoc before hanging up. At 9:30 PM, I called again. By then, Ms. Ngoc said she had just gotten home. Her voice was a sigh of relief, as if the grueling 6-hour journey through wind and rain had been reduced to a “small matter,” now that the meals filled with love had warmed the hearts of people in the flood.
The vehicle carrying 1,000 meals to Hue Central Hospital had to make many relay changes. Along that route, many people lent their shoulders, without time to ask each other’s names, leaving only overflowing compassion. “We could n’t follow the initially planned route because we had to adapt to the actual situation during transit. When passing through Phu Hai, Phu Dien, former Vinh Xuan, across Truong Ha bridge, along National Highway 1A, to the southern bus station area, many sections were flooded, but small trucks could still get through. However, from there to the An Cuu market area, the water was high. Fortunately, the police gave us a ride through this section,” recounted Ms. Ngoc.
The most difficult section was Hung Vuong Street, which was deeply flooded. The group members temporarily set aside their worries when military vehicles took over the “relay.” Everyone had just transferred the 1,000 meals onto the truck bed when suddenly someone had a stroke and needed emergency care. So the group quickly got off the vehicle, prioritizing the transport with prayers that the patient would receive timely support during the golden hour, so that doctors could help save a life.
The group called the police force for motorboat support and received agreement. But unexpectedly, there were many places needing more urgent rescue, so the motorboats had to change direction. “We have 1,000 meals that need to get to the hospital, and many people are hungry and in need. Can anyone help us?” The volunteers’ call amid the pouring rain, as floodwaters rose higher and higher, was answered by compassionate people joining forces. They were picked up by a specialized vehicle that could safely cross deep water, overcoming the difficult Hung Vuong and Ha Noi streets, arriving directly at Emergency Gate No. 1 of Hue Central Hospital. It was 7:30 PM.
Warmth of human compassion
“Brothers and sisters, go straight to the departments in the back. No team has reached there yet. Everyone will be so happy.” Patients and caregivers spoke words that brought tears to everyone’s eyes. The 1,000 meals were delivered to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, the Stroke Center... “We met three men operating a canoe who had just finished distributing meals and were heading back out. They said they didn’t have enough meals to give to people and were ready to support the team. So we transferred a few hundred portions to make it easier for the canoe to weave through the departments. Where the water was shallow, they lifted and carried the canoe through, sweat mixing with rainwater. It was so touching!” emotionally recounted Ms. Ngoc.
From strangers, they suddenly became close in times of hardship. Phone numbers were hastily exchanged, with promises that tomorrow and the day after, they would continue supporting each other in bringing love and sharing to hospital patients and residents in low-lying, flooded areas, so that when this flood passes, human compassion will remain forever.
My mind suddenly appeared the image of Phu Ho Commune Police forces, who were in the night, braved the wind and rain, and crossed the floods to bring a 76-year-old woman living alone in Le Xa hamlet to safety. With uniforms not yet dry from sweat, they continued racing through the waters in their canoe, rushing a 10-year-old child from Tay Ho hamlet who suddenly developed a high fever and convulsions to Phu Vang Health Center for emergency care. As on all routes and all critical fronts throughout Hue city, police and soldiers are the core forces, together with authorities at all levels, always supporting, helping, and rescuing people. Alongside them, many volunteer teams and groups devoted their efforts to sharing with people through immeasurable compassion.
On Facebook, touching words of thanks are sent to police forces, soldiers, and volunteer teams. Many volunteer teams came from other provinces, braving danger, working through the night to help the people of Hue. Though rain still pours down and difficulties remain abundant, Hue remains unusually warm because amid the cold waters, countless acts of loving compassion shine brightly.