BẮC GIANG — The armed forces of Military Region 1 have set out to help rebuild communities, drawing on funding from the Ministry of Defence, various organisations and community contributions.

They’ve also organised tens of thousands of volunteer workdays from officers, soldiers and militia to help eliminate makeshift and unsafe homes for poorer and disadvantaged families in Bắc Giang province.

The efforts are part of the broader initiative, 'Armed Forces United for the Poor – Leaving No One Behind' supporting rural development and helping locals stabilise their lives while boosting the region’s economic and social growth.

Trần Văn Cấp, from Hố Vầu hamlet in Tân Hưng commune, Lạng Giang district, faces a very difficult situation, suffering from frequent illness and has no stable job.

On top of this, he’s caring for his 95-year-old mother and a son with limited health, poor eyesight and has difficulty walking. Their home had deteriorated badly, but Cấp didn’t have the means to repair or rebuild it. The dream of a having a sturdy house seemed out of reach.

However, his dream became a reality when the Political Department of Military Region 1 and the Mass Mobilisation Committees of 6 provinces (Cao Bằng, Bắc Kạn, Thái Nguyên, Bắc Giang, Bắc Ninh, and Lạng Sơn) provided VNĐ150 million, alongside contributions of labour and materials from officers and militia of the Bắc Giang Provincial Military Command, as well as local residents, to help build him a new, solid, single-storey house.

Bắc Giang Provincial Military Command presented a symbol of financial support for house building to Trần Van Cấp. — Photo VNA/VNS

Cấp said: "Without the support of Military Region 1, both financially and in terms of labour, I don’t know when I would have ever been able to build a new home. I’m very happy that households like mine are receiving more attention and support from society, making life a little less difficult."

Vũ Thị Quyến, a resident of Ngọc Sơn hamlet in Quang Thịnh commune, Lạng Giang district, also received assistance from the programme aimed at eliminating makeshift and dilapidated homes for poor and near-poor households, as well as those in difficult situations, initiated by Military Region 1.

As an elderly woman living in a fragile, rundown house at risk of collapse, she was overjoyed and relieved when she was supported in building a new home.

Officers and soldiers of the Bắc Giang Provincial Military Command support the construction of a house for Vũ Thị Quyến. — Photo VNS/ VNS

According to Trần Công Thắng, Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Bắc Giang province, the province has set a goal for 2024 to eliminate all makeshift and dilapidated houses for poor and near-poor households.

They also aim to support one hundred per cent of families of those who have served the country and are facing housing difficulties, ensuring that homes in poor condition are repaired or rebuilt.

Achieving this goal will require the collective efforts of the entire political system, including effective support from officers and soldiers of the Bắc Giang Provincial Military Command and the leadership of Military Region 1. So far, ten 'Great Solidarity – Warm Military and Civilian Bonds'  houses have been started (with four already completed and in use), making a meaningful contribution to poverty reduction and improving the quality of life for the people.

Head of Civil Affairs for Military Region 1, Colonel Đỗ Huy Khải, said that helping poor and disadvantaged families with housing has been a top priority for the armed forces for several years.

Building solidarity homes and gradually eliminating makeshift and rundown houses is central to their efforts. Each new house means one more family has a stable home, free from the worry of poor living conditions, allowing them to focus on work and move out of poverty.

Looking ahead, Military Region 1 will continue to make the most of the 'For the Poor' Fund and strengthen efforts to raise awareness among officers, soldiers, and the community. They plan to gather more resources and further diversify support to help eliminate unsafe housing, contributing to the completion of new rural development targets in the area.

In 2023 and 2024, Military Region 1 has been and will continue to support over 950 poor, near-poor and disadvantaged households with nearly VNĐ48 billion to eliminate makeshift and dilapidated homes and build new solidarity houses.

From 2023 until the end of August 2024, they have already supported around 650 households with over VNĐ32 billion. By the end of 2024, they plan to assist an additional 310 households, providing each with VNĐ50 million in support. — VNS