Geneva (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador Duong Chi Dung highlighted whatVietnam has done to contribute to international humanitarian aid efforts whiledelivering a remark at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross andRed Crescent in Geneva, Switzerland from December 9 – 12.
Despite facing difficulties during wartime in 1960s and 1970s, Vietnam had strived hard to fulfill thecountry’s obligations inaccordance to the Geneva Convention,said Ambassador Dung, who ishead of Vietnam’s permanent mission to the United Nations.
The countryensured sufficient provision of medical aid, food supplies, shelters and cleanwater for ill and injured people, and returned prisoners, he said.
In peacetime,Vietnam has also worked to provide help for war victims, particularly those affected byunexploded ordanance (UXO) and harmful toxic substances left from the wars, and address the war aftermaths on peopleand the environment, the diplomat added.
Dungemphasised that the basicprinciple of international humanitarian law is to respect life and dignity ofthe human person even in harsh circumstances. A duty of any State or individual is to protect civiliansand rescue those in need at sea, regardless of their nationality or cause ofthe event – either natural disaster or maritime disputes, he said.
This year’sInternational Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent draw theparticipation of 196 delegations from governments and observationorganisations, and representatives from of the International Federation of RedCross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and 192 state member societies tothe International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The conference focused on promoting committed dialogue relatedto the International Humanitarian Law, and proposing solutions to thechallenges of urbanisation and climate change.
Within the framework of the event, the Vietnam Red Cross delegation, led by President Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu, had meetings with the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), president and secretary general of theInternational Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of several countries./.
VNA