"It is miserable to lack water!"

According to residents in Hamlet 6 (Khanh Lam commune, U Minh district, Ca Mau province), since the severe drought in 2016, people have suffered from water shortages every dry season. Many households cannot drill for underground water. Even if they do, they cannot use the water because it is contaminated with alum. Even households that could build tanks, dig ponds to store fresh water and have special pumps for alum water are struggling during this year's drought.

Huynh Thi Nhe (Hamlet 6, Khanh Lam commune, U Minh district, Ca Mau province) said: "Since last December, there is not enough water for drinking, not to mention water for bathing, washing, and cleaning. We can handle the lack of rice but it is miserable to lack water. Without drinking water, many people have to drink drilled well water, which is contaminated with salt and alum, so it has a salty and sour taste and is very difficult to drink. However, many people still have to drink it because they cannot afford to buy fresh drinking water."

Ship 470, 5th Regional Command of the Navy supplies water to people in Khanh Lam commune, U Minh district. (Photo: Van Dinh)

Accompanying local authorities to support people to overcome drought, officers and soldiers of the 5th Regional Command of the Navy utilize every minute and hour to bring fresh water to the people. Since April 17, hundreds of cubic meters of freshwater have been transported by 5th Regional Command ships to the hamlets to provide to people deep inland.

Fresh water is delivered to people's homes by officers and soldiers of the 5th Regional Command in coordination with local authorities. (Photo: Van Dinh)

Every day, the officers and soldiers of the 5th Regional Command are busy bringing water to the people. Some soldiers open the tank valve, some carry water cans into the car for people to take home. They do not take any breaks. Though sweat pours down on their backs and faces, the soldiers are filled with joy.

Fresh water is delivered to people's homes by officers and soldiers of the 5th Regional Command in coordination with local authorities. (Photo: Van Dinh)

In addition to providing water for the people, the 5th Regional Command also donated 30 gifts, VND 500,000 each, to families under preferential treatment policies.

Meaningful gifts from the 5th Regional Command were given to households in the Khanh Tien commune.

On this occasion, the unit also coordinated with Saigon New Port Corporation and the Ca Mau Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Commission to donate 150 water tanks (500 liters); 200 bottles of pure filtered water (20 liters), and 50 gifts for poor and disadvantaged households in Tran Van Thoi, U Minh, and Thoi Binh districts with a total cost of nearly VND 400 million.

5th Regional Command, Saigon New Port Corporation, and Ca Mau authorities presented gifts to the people of Ca Mau. (Photo: Van Dinh).

Solving the drought of the thirsty land

Tran Thi Cuc in Khanh Binh Dong commune (Tran Van Thoi district, Ca Mau province) said: "I have a few water jars in my house but they have broken over time. We do not have money to buy new ones. The Navy brought fresh water to us and even donated a tank."

Thai Bich Dan in Khanh Lam commune (U Minh district, Ca Mau province) said: "Luckily, Navy soldiers and benefactors brought us fresh water, so the people were less miserable. We tell each other to use water reasonably, only for essential needs such as food and drink."

Fresh water is delivered to people's homes by local authorities in coordination with officers and soldiers of the 5th Regional Command. (Photo: Van Dinh)

According to Nguyen Minh Thong, Chairman of Khanh Lam Commune People's Committee (U Minh district, Ca Mau province), Khanh Lam has invested in a water supply station to serve the people. However, due to prolonged drought, the station is not enough for the whole commune. People face many difficulties in daily life and production. They have to travel a long distance to have a can of water for daily use. During rough times, even when they travel far, they may not find any water because the wells are dried up. People in difficult circumstances cannot afford fresh water. Thanks to the attention of the State, the support of the officers and soldiers of the 5th Regional Command, and other forces and benefactors, water has been brought to people's homes. The people were touched."

"This year's prolonged drought and heat have worsened water shortages. Therefore, the practical gifts of the 5th Regional Command and Saigon Newport Corporation helped the people have clean and freshwater storage facilities, serving their essential needs and ensuring their health. This valuable gesture demonstrates the strong bond between the army and the people and the beautiful tradition of Uncle Ho's soldiers," said Trinh Thanh Hien, Chairman of the People's Committee of Khanh Binh Dong commune (Tran Van Thoi district, Ca Mau province).

Rear Admiral Nguyen Huu Thoan (far right) grasps the situation of implementing water supply tasks by officers and soldiers of the unit in Bien Bach commune (Thoi Binh district, Ca Mau province). (Photo: Van Dinh)

According to Rear Admiral Nguyen Huu Thoan, Political Commissar of the 5th Regional Command of the Navy, in the face of prolonged drought, the Party Committee and the Regional Command had a policy to support people in overcoming drought and using fresh water to ensure daily life activities. This policy is concretized in a plan. Ca Mau is the first locality in the region to receive support according to plan. Until mid-May, the 5th Regional Command will continue to arrange four vessels ready to support localities when needed.

Rear Admiral Nguyen Huu Thoan visited and encouraged people in drought areas in Khanh Lam commune. (Photo: Van Dinh)

The drought situation in Ca Mau is expected to continue. In difficult circumstances, the bond between soldiers and people becomes even closer. The support of the Navy and other forces has contributed to helping the Ca Mau people ease the hardship during dry days, gradually stabilize their lives, and restore production.

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