The Viet Nam Border Guard High Command encouraged members of its search-and-rescue team during a meeting in Ha Noi on June 28 ahead of their deployment to Venezuela to support earthquake relief efforts.
Under a decision by the Ministry of National Defence, Viet Nam is dispatching 82 personnel, along with equipment and supplies, to support search-and-rescue efforts and post-earthquake recovery in Venezuela. The Border Guard force contributes a unit comprising 10 personnel and eight search dogs.
Speaking at the meeting, Major General Nguyen Duc Manh, Deputy Commander of the Viet Nam Border Guard, said the powerful 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 caused severe casualties and widespread damage.
He said Viet Nam's deployment of forces to participate in search and rescue operations demonstrates the country's tradition of mutual assistance and compassion, foreign policy as well as the sense of responsibility of the Party, State and people of Viet Nam towards the international community. This also affirms the prestige and capabilities of the Viet Nam People's Army, and the Border Guard force in particular, while helping strengthen the friendship between Viet Nam and Venezuela.
Manh described the mission as both a great honour and a significant responsibility entrusted by the Party, the State, the Ministry of National Defence and the Vietnamese people.
He noted that those selected for the force are outstanding officers and soldiers, carefully chosen for their professional competence, ethics, physical fitness and extensive experience in domestic and international search-and-rescue operations.
He urged the team to strictly comply with Viet Nam's foreign policy and the laws, as well as regulations of the host country, uphold the mettle, professionalism and image of the Viet Nam People's Army, maintain unity, remain proactive and adaptable in carrying out their duties, and ensure their safety, and successfully accomplish the mission, thereby contributing to easing the losses and suffering of the Venezuelan people.
