Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Tran Van Son, on behalf of the President, presented the award to Mua A Thi on 18/9 at the 6th Patriotic Emulation Congress of Dien Bien province.

Mua A Thi, chief of Hang Pu Xi village in Xa Dung commune, receives the first-class labor medal. Photo: TTXVN

Mua A Thi, chief of Hang Pu Xi village in Xa Dung commune, receives the first-class labor medal. Photo: TTXVN

Around 1 a.m. on 1/8, a flash flood accompanied by a landslide suddenly swept into Hang Pu Xi village while nearly 100 residents were asleep. Village Chief Mua A Thi, disregarding the danger, ran through the village, knocking on every door, urging people to quickly evacuate. Thanks to his actions, 90 people were safely evacuated, averting a disaster.

On 4/8, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a letter of commendation, praising Thi's actions as "extremely brave, wise, and decisive," setting an example to be emulated throughout society.

At a conference summarizing the National Target Program for Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas on 13/8, Mua A Thi petitioned the Party and State to support the relocation of villagers to safe areas, rebuild homes, and invest in essential infrastructure: roads, bridges, irrigation, electricity, clean water, classrooms, and medical stations. He also proposed support for capital, crops, livestock, and agricultural land to help residents recover after the flood.

"I promise to work with commune officials to transparently deploy all support resources and encourage residents to cooperate in economic development while preserving forests, streams, and their cultural identity," Thi said.

Son Ha