During a meeting with Quang Tri province and various ministries on the afternoon of 13/12, the Prime Minister also criticized the locality for issuing an emergency construction order to address the landslide only on 11/12, nearly a month after the incident.

The head of government emphasized that this delay was a shortcoming. The province must conduct a review, hold relevant individuals and groups accountable, and report to higher authorities with a spirit of earnestness, seriousness, and honesty. The Prime Minister stated, "The province must learn from this experience in promptly understanding situations, reporting accurately and comprehensively, and reacting flexibly."

This marks the second time the Prime Minister has criticized Quang Tri province for its slow progress in building homes for residents affected by the Khe Sanh landslide. Five days prior, the Prime Minister had "severely criticized" Quang Tri province, demanding a detailed report on the matter that same day.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaking on the afternoon of 13/12. *Photo: Nhat Bac*

Emphasizing that the "Quang Trung campaign" to rapidly rebuild and repair homes for families affected by recent natural disasters in Central Vietnam must achieve "resounding success" to bring happiness to the people, the Prime Minister instructed Quang Tri province to immediately focus resources on restoring housing for the 12 households in Khe Sanh impacted by the landslide. Currently, these 12 households are temporarily accommodated at the former offices of Huong Hoa district agencies.

The locality is authorized to apply emergency conditions for purchasing and transporting building materials. Military engineers will be immediately deployed for construction, ensuring homes are completed by 31/12 to provide safe accommodation for residents. If the local budget is insufficient, the central government will provide support.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Khe Sanh is a site of heroic history, where residents have endured significant losses, making it imperative to quickly restore housing and create long-term livelihood opportunities for the people.

In addition to rebuilding homes, Quang Tri must research long-term landslide prevention solutions, such as improving drainage and upgrading essential infrastructure.

Drawing lessons from the slow landslide recovery efforts in Khe Sanh, the Prime Minister advised ministries and localities that "when handling any matter for the people, one must put themselves in their position" to act with responsibility and genuine empathy, "from heart to heart." He stated, "In emergency situations concerning people's lives, health, and livelihoods, immediate action is required, avoiding bureaucracy and mere formalities."

Quang Tri provincial leaders attending the meeting on the afternoon of 13/12. *Photo: Nhat Bac*

During the meeting, the Prime Minister commended localities for initiating construction on 1,535 homes, completing 469, and finishing repairs on 31,950 houses.

The Quang Trung campaign, aimed at building new homes and repairing damaged ones for residents, was launched by the Prime Minister in late 9. This initiative followed his inspection of recovery efforts after the worst floods in decades hit the South Central Coast and Central Highlands, with the goal of quickly returning people to normal life.

Recent storms and floods in the Central and Central Highlands provinces resulted in the collapse of 1,635 homes and damage to 39,461 houses.

Vu Tuan