Journalists connect love towards flood victims

Due to the impact of storm No. 3, on September 10, 2024, the road from Lao Cai city to Sa Pa town (in Lao Cai province) still had many landslides, prohibiting cars from traveling. To reach the scene of the landslide deep inside, a group of Thanh Nien newspaper reporters hired a motorbike taxi and walked to reach the scene of the landslide that occurred in Hoa Su Pan 1 village, Muong Hoa commune, Sa Pa town. There was a landslide that killed 6 people. In addition to reporting on the damaged area, the group also organized the donation of support money from readers to the families of the deceased.

Journalist Phan Hau, representing Thanh Nien Newspaper, presented support to the families of victims of the landslide in Lao Cai. Photo: Thanh Nien Newspaper

On September 10 alone, representatives of Thanh Nien Newspaper, Sa Pa Town Youth Union and representatives of the authorities of Muong Hoa, Ngu Chi Son and Thanh Binh communes presented 60 million VND to support families whose relatives died in landslides.

Journalist Phan Hau, Thanh Nien Newspaper said, “The landslides have turned this place into a desolate and devastated area. We have reported truthfully on the difficult circumstances and losses in this natural disaster. There are families who have lost their wives and children, and their only home was buried and swept away. In the spirit of urgency, right from the first days of recording the damage, Thanh Nien Newspaper coordinated with agencies and units to promptly organize support and relief shipments to the people in the flood-affected areas of the Northern provinces to convey the feelings and hearts of readers near and far and update full information in the newspaper.”

With this method, many agencies, businesses, and individuals who do not have the conditions to directly deliver gifts have transferred relief goods to press agencies to send to people in flood areas. Through articles and photos published by press agencies, readers in all regions of the country see that press agencies will be the bridge for their gifts to directly support people in flood areas, places full of hardships that the press agencies have just reported.

And for each journalist, although they are quite busy with their work, updating information about the storm situation, and work to overcome the consequences of the storm, they always keep in mind that when the people there are still facing difficulties, journalists not only report and write articles but also hope that the people will receive timely support.

In places facing hardship due to the impact of storms and floods, there are journalists working. Photo: VNA

During the first days of floods in the northern provinces, on September 9 and 10, hundreds of gifts from Tuoi Tre newspaper readers traveled hundreds of kilometers and dozens of landslides to reach people in flooded areas of Yen Bai , Thai Nguyen, Lao Cai... Each gift included instant noodles, dry food, water, milk, flashlights for power outages... the most urgent things at that time. The newspaper's editorial board hoped that these gifts could be effective immediately.

In Tuyen Quang province alone, Tuoi Tre newspaper has provided rice and medicine, to do this thanks to the Tuyen Quang provincial youth union choosing difficult and remote locations where there is no support group to come to give the gifts. In addition to rice, there are also carefully packaged medicines to give to people to use to limit diseases that may occur during and after the flood.

Journalist Nguyen Duc Binh - Deputy Head of the Northern Representative Office of Tuoi Tre Newspaper said: "In addition to giving gifts directly to each affected household in the most difficult time, we are considering a longer-term plan, in which we will coordinate with local authorities to acknowledge the difficulties of the people after the flood has passed. Focus on the education of young people. When they return to school, there will be a shortage of learning materials and equipment...".

In fact, right after the new school year started, storms occurred, many school facilities were damaged and swept away by floods. During their work, the group of reporters from Tuoi Tre newspaper recorded many schools where all school supplies were damaged, and indoor and outdoor facilities were damaged and could not be used. They also recorded schools that collapsed, were unsafe, and needed to be rebuilt, with the hope that they would be rebuilt and completed as soon as possible so that students could continue the new school year.

Journalist Nguyen Duc Binh (right) - Deputy Head of the Northern Representative Office of Tuoi Tre Newspaper presented the first emergency relief gifts to people in the flooded area of ​​Yen Bai on the afternoon of September 10. Photo: Tuoi Tre Newspaper

Currently, the Tuoi Tre newspaper editorial board is developing a plan to coordinate with the local authorities and youth unions to survey the needs of each school. This will avoid overlaps and duplications, as one location will have too much support while another school will not. In addition, the newspaper has planned to give gifts and scholarships to students in difficult circumstances so that they do not drop out of school.

According to journalist Nguyen Duc Binh: “In the process of implementing charity work, the most important thing is to determine what people need in each stage, what they need when they have just lost a loved one and a house, and then what they need in the recovery, rebuilding and starting to work and produce again. Only then can we avoid surplus, too much instant noodles, too much clothes, food... We have thought about supporting plants and seedlings for people to develop their family economy. It is important that the products and goods supported must be suitable for the farming conditions and living conditions of the people in each locality.”

It can be said that, in many different ways and forms, whether directly or indirectly, press agencies and journalists across the country have been and always are upholding the spirit of sharing and reaching out to compatriots affected by storms and floods.

They have been building “bridges” connecting millions of readers, creating a place to send their feelings to people affected by natural disasters. The practical work of each editorial office and each journalist once again affirms that social work and charity for the community is always a part of the activities. Through that, they continue to affirm the position and role of journalists in social life.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nguoi-lam-bao-ket-noi-yeu-thuong-huong-ve-dong-bao-bao-lut-post312470.html