Vietnam Army sends earthquake relief forces to Myanmar

The Minister of Defense has directed the General Staff to organize forces that, after receiving approval from the Central Committee, will be ready to go to Myanmar to assist in overcoming the consequences of the earthquake.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on the afternoon of March 28.

A representative of the Department of Rescue and Relief (General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army) said that at noon on March 28, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake occurred in central Myanmar, causing at least 10 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 2.8 to 7.5. The consequences left thousands of people dead and injured. Currently, 4 countries (China, India, Russia and Malaysia) have sent forces to support Myanmar.

Faced with this emergency situation, the Minister of National Defense has directed the General Staff to organize forces that, after receiving approval from the Central Government, will be ready to go to Myanmar to support disaster relief. Implementing the direction of the superior, the Department of Rescue and Relief has presided over and coordinated with relevant agencies and units to develop a plan and establish a force to participate in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief of the Vietnam People's Army in Myanmar, consisting of 79 soldiers, including: Command force, information and propaganda force, rescue force (including rescue force, search and rescue force of the Engineering Command and training force, service dogs of the Border Guard Command) and medical force.

The overall commander of the force is Colonel Pham Hai Chau, Deputy Director of the Department of Rescue and Relief. The equipment brought will be carefully calculated, ensuring it is suitable, compact and effective, drawing on experience from the rescue mission in Turkey. The team is expected to depart on the afternoon of March 30.

According to the plan, the General Department of Logistics and Engineering will coordinate with the Military Department to organize forces and vehicles ready to carry out the mission; focus on ensuring logistics and technology for the search and rescue forces and ensuring relief goods for the neighboring country. At the same time, the Foreign Affairs Department will deploy support work on exit and entry procedures; coordinate with the Air Defense - Air Force and civil airlines to organize the transport of forces, equipment and relief goods to the epicenter in Myanmar.

Senior Lieutenant General Huynh Chien Thang, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, stated that sending the Vietnam People's Army to participate in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Myanmar demonstrates the high responsibility of the Party, State and people of Vietnam towards the international community; affirming the prestige, sense of responsibility and capacity of the Vietnam People's Army in international relations and cooperation.

Lieutenant General Huynh Chien Thang requested the Department of Rescue and Relief to coordinate closely and urgently with relevant agencies and units, propose work contents that need to be implemented, and quickly resolve procedural issues and preparations, including issues of air transport, relief goods, logistics, communications, safety issues, etc. so that the task force can set off soon.

In addition, relevant agencies and units must carefully prepare vehicles and technical equipment, prioritizing dual-purpose, easy-to-move, and portable vehicles; ensure good logistics, supplies, goods, and aid goods, etc.

Senior Lieutenant General Huynh Chien Thang also reminded the task force to focus on resolving relations and coordinating with international forces, authorities and local people; promoting the good qualities of the Vietnam People's Army, leaving a good impression in the hearts of international friends and the people of Myanmar.

With experience from relief activities in Türkiye in 2023, units of the Vietnam People's Army have clearly identified their spirit and responsibility and are ready to set off to carry out their missions as soon as ordered./.

According to baochinhphu.vn

Source: https://baocamau.vn/quan-doi-viet-nam-cu-luc-luong-cuu-tro-dong-dat-tai-myanmar-a38096.html