Military forces participating in earthquake relief in Myanmar set off

(NLDO) - On the afternoon of March 30, in Hanoi, the Ministry of National Defense held a conference to assign tasks to forces participating in overcoming the consequences of the earthquake in Myanmar.

On March 28, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake occurred in Myanmar, affecting many neighboring countries, causing great loss of life and property. As of March 29, more than 1,600 people have died, more than 3,400 people have been injured and many are still missing. The Myanmar government has called on the international community for support. Many countries in the world and in the ASEAN region have sent forces and means to help the Government and people of Myanmar such as: China, Russia, India, Malaysia, Singapore, the US, Australia, the World Health Organization...

General Nguyen Tan Cuong speaks at the task assignment conference. Photo: QĐND

On this occasion, the Ministry of National Defense sent a working delegation of 80 soldiers, led by Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Department of Rescue and Relief, to assume the role of Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People's Army to participate in overcoming the consequences of the earthquake in Myanmar. The working delegation brought necessary equipment, materials, medicines, 6 service dogs and many tons of goods. The activity aims to continue to demonstrate the noble international spirit of the Vietnam People's Army, affirming the position, prestige, sense of responsibility and capacity of the Vietnam People's Army in international integration and defense diplomacy.

The working group of the Vietnam People's Army participating in the search and rescue mission in Myanmar this time was selected by agencies and units; it is the core force of the international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief teams of the Ministry of National Defense from: the Engineering Corps, Military Hospitals, Border Guards, the Department of Search and Rescue and functional agencies of the Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff, and the General Department of Politics.

Among the soldiers participating in this mission, many have participated in supporting the Government and people of Türkiye to overcome the earthquake disaster in 2023. The soldiers demonstrated high determination, good sense of organization and discipline, good solidarity, proactively overcoming all difficulties to excellently complete the tasks of the Army before the Party and the people; at the same time, affirming the sense of responsibility and capacity to always be ready to perform the tasks of the Vietnam People's Army in international integration and cooperation.

In just a short time of less than 20 hours since being deployed and assigned the task, the agencies and units have thoroughly grasped and fully and thoughtfully implemented all preparations for each individual and each force component, in terms of ideology, spirit, force, organization, equipment, logistics and close coordination and cooperation with each other. Thereby demonstrating high initiative, the spirit of readiness to carry out the task immediately in all conditions and circumstances... Up to now, the soldiers are ready in all aspects to depart to carry out the task in the neighboring country.

Forces participating in overcoming the consequences of the earthquake in Myanmar. Photo: QĐND

Speaking at the assignment, General Nguyen Tan Cuong, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Deputy Minister of National Defense, noted that the current political security situation in Myanmar is very complicated, and the consequences of the recent earthquake are very severe. Along with that, traffic conditions, hot, sunny, harsh weather... will cause many difficulties for rescue forces, including the rescue force of the Vietnam People's Army.

On behalf of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense, General Nguyen Tan Cuong requested the members of the working delegation to seriously grasp the tasks, build determination, the highest sense of responsibility, solidarity, unity, proactively overcome all difficulties, and excellently complete the tasks entrusted by the Party, State, and Army.

The Chief of the General Staff stated that the soldiers need to make efforts to carry out rescue and humanitarian assistance missions with existing equipment and accumulated experience, promoting dynamism and creativity, in the fastest, most effective and safest time. During the mission, they must always be ready to help the people of the neighboring country according to their ability and conditions; not causing trouble for the government and people of the neighboring country.

In addition, the members of the working delegation need to properly resolve the relationship and closely coordinate between our forces and international forces, the government and people of the host country in performing their tasks; strictly comply with international law, the laws of the host country and military discipline, and ensure absolute safety for people and equipment.

General Nguyen Tan Cuong, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Deputy Minister of National Defense, encouraged forces to prepare to leave for the earthquake relief mission in Myanmar. Photo: QĐND

"Proactively coordinate with forces of participating countries, deploy teams and groups to carry out tasks in the most favorable direction and ensure safety. Learning from the experience of the mission in Türkiye, try to divide the groups into not too small groups, ensuring safety but also supporting and assisting each other" - General Nguyen Tan Cuong clearly stated.

For difficult, complicated, and sensitive issues, General Nguyen Tan Cuong requested the Working Group to proactively report and ask for direction from the leaders of the Ministry of National Defense. However, "for issues that can be decided, the commanders will discuss and reach an agreement to decide on immediate handling, in the spirit of "General on bail", because there are situations that only happen in a split second, without the immediate decision of the commander at that time, it may not be completed, this is also one of the tasks considered as a combat mission" - the Chief of the General Staff emphasized.

In addition, to promote the tradition and good qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", members of the working delegation need to combine propaganda with specific actions to enhance the image and position of the Vietnam People's Army, creating a good impression with international friends and the government and people of Myanmar.

General Nguyen Tan Cuong requested that the agencies and functional units of the Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff, the General Department of Politics, and the General Department II proactively communicate and coordinate with the forces, do a good job of grasping the situation, reporting to the leaders of the Ministry of National Defense and providing timely information and news to the rescue forces, ensuring security and safety for our forces on duty in the areas.

Some recorded images:

Military medical team participates in earthquake relief in Myanmar. Photo: QĐND

Border Guard forces participate in overcoming the consequences of the earthquake in Myanmar. Photo: QĐND

Forces participating in overcoming the consequences of the earthquake in Myanmar. Photo: QĐND

General Nguyen Tan Cuong and delegates took souvenir photos with forces preparing to leave for the earthquake relief mission in Myanmar. Photo: QĐND

Forces preparing to leave for the earthquake relief effort in Myanmar board vehicles to Noi Bai airport. Photo: QĐND

Source: https://nld.com.vn/luc-luong-quan-doi-tham-gia-khac-phuc-hau-qua-dong-dat-tai-myanmar-len-duong-196250330143414504.htm