Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Public Security has deployed a 26-member emergency response team to Myanmar to assist the country in search and rescue efforts following the devastating March 28 earthquake.
A ceremony to send off the team, led by Colonel Nguyen Minh Khuong, Deputy Director of the Police Department of Fire Fighting, Fire Prevention and Rescue (C07), was held in Hanoi on March 30.
The team was formed only 24 hours after the Minister of Public Security's order, with the participation of officers from C07, the University of Fire Prevention and Fighting, the Mobile Police Command, and Hanoi Police, along with rescue equipment, essential supplies, and sniffer dogs.
Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Van Tuyen noted that as of March 29, the strongest ever earthquake recorded in Myanmar had left over 1,000 dead, 2,300 injured, and 30 missing. With casualties expected to rise, the tremors have also impacted neighbouring Thailand, India, and China.
He said that deployment of the force to Myanmar aims to assist the country's search and rescue efforts, provide humanitarian aid, and help communities recover.
It reflects Vietnam’s deep commitment to regional solidarity, and the country’s longstanding tradition of mutual support and compassion. It further strengthens the 50-year diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Myanmar, as well as the close cooperation between Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security and Myanmar’s Ministry of Home Affairs, he said.
This is not the first time Vietnam has taken part in international rescue operations, he said, underlining that this effort also affirms Vietnam’s readiness to join hands with the international community to deal with challenges and difficulties for a peaceful and stable environment for cooperation and development in the region and the world.
He urged the team to carry out this mission with the utmost determination and effort, helping Myanmar swiftly recover from the earthquake aftermath, and spreading the beautiful image of the nation at the same time.
The Deputy Minister directed the team to ensure strict compliance with national and international regulations, close coordination with Myanmar’s authorities and other international rescue teams, and absolute safety for all personnel and equipment.
He asked relevant agencies of the public security force to prepare additional equipment, vehicles and personnel to aid the team when requested.
Colonel Khuong pledged that the team will overcome all difficulties to complete all assigned tasks.
The team is expected to arrive in Myanmar on March 30 night. Over the next ten days, it will join search and rescue efforts, provide medical care, support recovery operations, and conduct other activities at Myanmar’s requests.
In 2023, the Ministry of Public Security was the first to deploy a team of 24 professional rescuers and medical personnel to support Türkiye in overcoming the earthquake consequences. This humanitarian gesture was appreciated by Turkish authorities and the international community, reaffirming Vietnam’s commitment to global humanitarian efforts./.
