VietNamNet Bridge – At a meeting on January 12, the National Committee for Search and Rescue reviewed this work in 2010 and discussed the implementation of search and rescue activities in 2011.

Photo: VOV

In 2010, the committee launched new measures to prevent natural disasters and mobilized forces and means to deal with disasters’ aftermaths.

The Ministry of Defence mobilized over 134,000 officers, soldiers and militia members, and more than 4,700 resources comprising helicopters, naval ships, trucks, and cars to evacuate nearly 80,000 households, and more than 240,000 people out of flooded areas. The ministry also transported and provided hundreds of boats and many tonnes of food to flood victims in central provinces.

In addition, the defence ministry helped extinguish fires in nearly 1,293 hectares of forest and effectively dealt with 14 oil spills.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Security deployed more than 22,800 officers to fight the fires and used 3,800 collected resources to handle 10,800 fires.

Addressing the conference, General Tran Quang Khue, Vice President of the Committee, pointed out duties for the new year, including completing planning, and supplementing new plans, as well as organizing drills and logistics.

Mr Khue warned the committee about the more complicated climate happenings expected in 2011, which could have great negative impacts on the country’s socio-economic development.

In 2010, Vietnam was hit by serious fires, six typhoons or storms, and many floods, especially in the central region, which claimed many lives and caused heavy property losses. The year also saw many accidents at sea and on rivers.

VietNamNet/VOV