A warm shelter for my countrymen: Joining hands to eradicate makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide

The "A Warm Shelter for My Compatriots" program was broadcast live on VTV1 and other local television channels nationwide at 8:10 PM on October 5. The program calls for support to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses across the country. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, a member of the Politburo, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Central Council for  Emulation and Commendation , attended the event. 

The program was also attended by Politburo members: Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat Luong Cuong; Party Central Committee Secretary and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien; Party Central Committee Secretary and Head of the Central Propaganda Department Nguyen Trong Nghia; First Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh; Minister of Defense, General Phan Van Giang; Minister of Public Security, Senior Lieutenant General Luong Tam Quang; members of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Ministers, Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly, leaders of central ministries and agencies, provinces, and cities, leaders of various corporations, companies, and philanthropists.

On April 13, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Chairman of the Central Council for Emulation and Commendation, launched the "Joining Hands to Eradicate Makeshift and Dilapidated Houses Nationwide in 2025" campaign to implement the Central Party Committee’s Resolution No. 42. The Presidium of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee  called on businesses, agencies, organizations, collectives, individuals, people from all walks of life, and overseas Vietnamese to join hands in supporting this campaign. The movement aims to mobilize socialized resources and combine them with state resources to achieve three main objectives:  to support housing for people with meritorious service to the Revolution,  assist housing for people under national target programs, and eliminate makeshift and dilapidated houses for people outside the two aforementioned groups.

If these tasks are completed  by 2025,   the year of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Party, the 80th National Day, the 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of the South and national reunification, and  the 14th National Party Congress—there will be no households living in makeshift or dilapidated houses. This will be accomplished five years ahead of the Party's resolution. This movement has profound humanitarian significance, reflects a high political determination, and showcases the superiority of our regime.

Promoting the traditional values of mutual support and solidarity of our nation, over 20 years, more than 1.7 million "Great Solidarity" houses have been built and repaired for the poor and disadvantaged. However, there are still about 400,000 dilapidated, makeshift houses nationwide that do not meet the "three-hard" standards or are lacking in quality.

According to Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung, "Eradicating makeshift and dilapidated houses is one of the breakthrough tasks with revolutionary significance. It is a significant policy with deep humanitarian value to provide shelter for those affected by natural disasters, fires, climate change, the poor, and the vulnerable so that no one is left behind and to help  people stabilize their lives and sustainably escape poverty."

Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs speaking at the program (Photo: VNA).

The program "A Warm Shelter for My Compatriots" featured reports that vividly depicted the lives of families struggling with inadequate living conditions. Through the program, a child from Mr. Sung A Bo's family (Yen Chau District, Son La Province) was taken in for examination and treatment by doctors at the National Children’s Hospital and received assistance to build a safer home.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Dien, Director of the National Children's Hospital, agreed to provide examination and treatment for Mr. Sung A Bo's child.

Speaking at the program, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his determination: "There are only 450 days left from now until 2025, which requires us to be even more determined, more committed, more diligent, and more effective. With the spirit of national unity and mutual support, I call on all people, soldiers, and localities nationwide to continue the campaign more vigorously, actively, and on a larger scale. Let's contribute in any way we can—those with wealth can give wealth, those with labor can give labor, those with little can give a little, and those with more can give more—to quickly eradicate makeshift and dilapidated houses, especially for ethnic minorities in remote, border, and island areas. The Party's policy is to leave no one behind in this era of national advancement. This is my call to further promote this meaningful humanitarian campaign to achieve the goal of eradicating makeshift and dilapidated houses by 2025. During the implementation process, I emphasize the need to strengthen inspection and supervision, and prevent any corruption or  malpractice  related to this deeply meaningful campaign."

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh calls for a 450-day peak emulation campaign to complete the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide.

The program also encouraged people to contribute by scanning a QR code or transferring funds to the Central Fund for the Poor displayed on the screen.

The reports in the program also presented positive images of families receiving state support to build sturdy houses. Through creativity, groundbreaking efforts, solidarity, and mutual support, many people have received help from the entire community.

Smiles and tears of happiness as people receive support filled with humanity.

During the "A Warm Shelter for My Compatriots" program, several key events were held: the launch  ceremony to support the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the ceremony to launch the peak emulation drive to complete this goal, and the ceremony to announce and receive support from ministries, agencies, localities, businesses, and individuals.

Representatives of ministries, agencies, localities, and enterprises present support to localities. (Photo: VGP)

By the time the program was aired, a total of VND 5,932 billion has been raised for the movement to eradicate makeshift and dilapidated houses, of which VND 3,287 billion was raised through this program, and 61 localities have mobilized VND 2,645 billion. This message reaffirms the spirit of solidarity of the Vietnamese people: no matter the circumstances, unity will always be the strength that helps us overcome difficulties and challenges, and move forward together towards a brighter future for the nation.