In the letter, General Phan Van Giang wrote: “A strong earthquake hit Turkey on the morning of February 6, 2023, causing especially serious damages to humans and properties. So far, tens of thousands of Turks have been killed while tens of millions of people have been affected. The Turkish government has declared a state of emergency and the United Nations has called on the international community to provide support and help the country to overcome consequences.
The Ministry of Defence decided to send 76 professional military officers and soldiers with equipment to Turkey to help the country overcome earthquake consequences following the direction of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat and the Central Military Commission and in promotion of the tradition of mutual affection and the motto that Vietnam is a friend, reliable partner, and active and responsible member of the international community as well as in response to the call of the United Nations.
The mission has been deployed in a very short time, facing extremely harsh weather conditions, dangers from continued tremors, and difficulties in language difference, accommodation and working conditions. But with bravery, qualification and high determination, Vietnamese soldiers have well promoted the noble international spirit, the nation’s traditions, and the quality of ‘Uncle Ho’s soldiers’ to remain calm and confident regardless of hardships and sacrifices, to race against time to conduct search and rescue activities and identify many locations of earthquake victims to hand them over to the local authorities and functional forces.
Their devotion demonstrates the responsibility, capacity, and prestige of the Vietnam People’s Army in the face of non-traditional security issues, which has been recognised and appreciated by the international community and the Government and people of Turkey.
The Central Military Commission and the Ministry of Defence commend, acknowledge, and highly appreciate the results, spirit, responsibility, and efforts of the rescue team. The task in the coming days remains very heavy and dangerous as every second passes, the life of the victims gets shorter.
I hope that the rescue team will make further efforts with determination, as the lives and happiness of the Turkish people are in need of our help. The Fatherland and the Vietnam People’s Army are always proud of and accompanying you.
Wishing you good health, happiness, and success.”
