Soldiers from the Bắc Giang Provincial Military Command assist in building a house for Vũ Thị Quyến, a poor resident of Ngọc Sơn Hamlet, Quang Thịnh Commune, Lạng Giang District, Bắc Giang Province. Photo courtesy of the Bắc Giang People's Committee

BẮC GIANG The armed forces of Military Zone 1 have recently effectively mobilised resources from the Ministry of National Defence, various units and the community to support the construction of new homes for impoverished and disadvantaged households in Bắc Giang province.

The initiative has involved tens of thousands of labour hours from military personnel and militia, contributing significantly to the national rural development programme and strengthening the 'Armed Forces Join Hands for the Poor — Leaving No One Behind' movement. This initiative has helped local residents stabilise their lives and support the socio-economic development of the region.

Trần Văn Cấp, a resident of Hố Vầu Hamlet, Tân Hưng Commune, Lạng Giang District, faces immense hardship. Often ill and without stable employment, Cấp is responsible for caring for his 95-year-old mother and a son with limited mobility and poor eyesight. His family’s home had fallen into severe disrepair and he lacked the means to renovate or rebuild. The dream of having a solid house seemed out of reach.

Soldiers from the Bắc Giang Provincial Military Command assist in building a house for Vũ Thị Quyến, a poor resident of Ngọc Sơn Hamlet, Quang Thịnh Commune, Lạng Giang District, Bắc Giang Province. Photo courtesy of the Bắc Giang People's Committee

However, Cấp's dream became a reality when Military Zone 1’s Political Department and the Mass Mobilisation Committee of six provinces (Cao Bằng, Bắc Kạn, Thái Nguyên, Bắc Giang, Bắc Ninh, and Lạng Sơn) provided him with VNĐ150 million (US$6,100).

In addition, officers, soldiers and local militia from the Bắc Giang Provincial Military Command, along with local residents, contributed labour and building materials to construct a new, solid house for his family.

“If it weren’t for the material and labour support from Military Zone 1, I don’t know when I would have had a new home,” said Cấp. “I’m overjoyed that impoverished households like mine are receiving more and more attention and help from society, making life a little less difficult.”

The Bắc Giang Provincial Military Command presents a symbolic donation of financial support for a house to Mr. Trần Văn Cấp, a near-poverty household from Hố Vầu Hamlet, Tân Hưng Commune, Lạng Giang District, Bắc Giang Province. Photo courtesy of the Bắc Giang People's Committee

The Bắc Giang Provincial Military Command presents a symbolic donation of financial support for a house to Ms. Vũ Thị Quyến, a near-poverty household from Ngọc Sơn Hamlet, Quang Thịnh Commune, Lạng Giang District, Bắc Giang Province. Photo courtesy of the Bắc Giang People's Committee

Vũ Thị Quyến, another near-poverty household from Ngọc Sơn Hamlet, Quang Thịnh Commune, Lạng Giang District, also received financial support from Military Zone 1’s programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated housing for impoverished and near-poverty households. Living in a frail house at risk of collapse, Quyến was overjoyed to receive assistance for a new home.

According to Trần Công Thắng, Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Bắc Giang Province, the province aims to eliminate 100 per cent of temporary and dilapidated homes for impoverished and near-poverty households by the end of 2024.

Additionally, the province plans to provide 100 per cent support for disadvantaged families with damaged homes in need of repair or reconstruction. Achieving this goal requires the combined efforts of the entire political system, with the critical support of the Bắc Giang Provincial Military Command and the leadership of Military Zone 1. Ten 'Great Unity' houses have already been constructed in the area, with four completed and in use, contributing significantly to poverty reduction and improving the lives of local residents.

Colonel Đỗ Huy Khải, Head of the Mass Mobilisation Department of Military Zone 1, explained that in recent years, supporting impoverished and disadvantaged households has been a top priority for Military Zone 1. Each completed house represents one more family with a stable place to live, free from the burden of housing insecurity, enabling them to focus on work and rise out of poverty. Military Zone 1 will continue to effectively mobilise the For the Poor Fund while enhancing awareness among soldiers and the public. The military will also diversify its resource mobilisation efforts to eliminate temporary housing, contributing to the fulfilment of local rural development targets.

Between 2023 and 2024, Military Zone 1 has been, and will continue to, support over 950 impoverished and disadvantaged households, providing funds for the construction of homes, with a total budget of nearly VNĐ48 billion ($1.9 million). As of August 2024, Military Zone 1 had supported nearly 650 households, contributing over VNĐ32 billion ($1.3 million). By the end of 2024, the military plans to support 310 more households, with each receiving VNĐ50 million ($2 million). VNS