Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of National Defence held a conference in Hanoi on March 30 to assign tasks to a Vietnam People's Army (VPA) team participating in the earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar.
The 80-member team is led by Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Ministry of National Defence's Search and Rescue Department, who will serve as the Chief Commander of the VPA force in the relief mission.
It has been formed within only 20 hours since a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, showing the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Myanmar, and aligning with Vietnam’s foreign policy of being a reliable partner and responsible member of the international community, and its humanitarian commitment.
The team is equipped with essential supplies, medical provisions, six sniffer dogs, and 60 tonnes of humanitarian aid. This mission aims to reaffirm the VPA’s dedication to international cooperation and its disaster response capability.
Assigning tasks to the team, General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the VPA and Deputy Minister of National Defence, highlighted the complex political-security situation and challenging conditions in Myanmar, asking the team members to comprehend their mission, uphold a strong sense of responsibility, and demonstrate solidarity in overcoming obstacles. He stressed that the delegation must execute their tasks with the highest level of professionalism and efficiency. General Cuong instructed the team to leverage their existing equipment and operational experience to maximise efficiency and ensure utmost safety during the mission. He also emphasised the importance of assisting the local population at their best while maintaining discipline and avoiding any disruption to local communities. He also reminded the force of showing close coordination with their peers from other countries and local authorities.
He directed the team to promptly report any complex or sensitive issues to the Ministry of National Defence. However, he empowered commanders on the ground to make immediate decisions when necessary.
At the same time, they must embody the noble traditions of the “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers,” using their actions to promote the image and reputation of the VPA, he said, adding that their conduct should leave a positive impression on Myanmar’s Government, local communities, and international partners.
To support the mission, he instructed relevant departments within the military to closely monitor the situation, maintain contacts with the relief forces, and ensure the security and safety of the Vietnamese team throughout the operation.
The aircraft carrying Vietnamese rescuers was scheduled to depart for Yangon, Myanmar, at 3:30pm on March 30. An additional 60 tonnes of aid will be transported to Myanmar on a subsequent flight.
Upon arrival, the Vietnamese delegation will hold discussions with local and international counterparts to finalise the rescue plan. They are expected to begin operations on the morning of March 31.
As of March 29, the disaster had claimed more than 1,600 lives, injured over 3,400 people, and left many others missing in Myanmar. In response, the Myanmar Government has called for international assistance. Many countries, including China, Russia, India, Malaysia, Singapore, the US, and Australia, and the World Health Organisation have deployed personnel and resources to support the relief efforts.
In January 2023, the VPA also sent relief forces to Türkiye to help with earthquake relief efforts.
According to Major General Ty, the most elite personnel have been selected for this mission in Myanmar. Many members of the team previously took part in Vietnam’s 2023 relief efforts in Türkiye./.
