A representative from the International Committee of the Red Cross in Asia-Pacific has pledged that the committee will continue assisting the Vietnamese Government and army in popularising the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and helping the country overcome war aftermaths.

During a December 5 meeting with Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Le Huu Duc in Hanoi, Beat Schweizer said the committee will also work with Vietnam in projects to raise public awareness on unexploded ordnance.

It will share experience in military medicine and humanitarian rescue as Vietnam joins United Nations peacekeeping operations, he added.

Schweizer also said he hopes to receive support and cooperation from the Defence Ministry of Vietnam during his term from 2013-2015.

For his part, Duc expressed his delight that the Vietnamese Government and army share a close relationship with the committee.

Through the Vietnam Red Cross, the International Committee of the Red Cross has supported Vietnam in organising training courses on the IHL for military officers while publishing documents and holding conferences and seminars on the law.

On the other hand, Vietnam has also actively responded to programmes launched by the committee such as those on public healthcare, humanitarian support in remote and mountainous areas, search for martyrs’ remains, assisting Agent Orange victims, and blood donation, he added.-VNA