Vietnam has dispatched military and police rescue teams, including search dogs, engineers and medical personnel, to assist Venezuela following a devastating earthquake that has claimed more than 1,400 lives.
The earthquake, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in two major shocks, struck Venezuela on June 24. According to Vietnamese authorities, the disaster has claimed more than 1,400 lives, injured more than 3,300 people and left tens of thousands missing. International organizations believe the death toll could continue to rise as rescue efforts continue.
In response, Vietnam's Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Public Security have mobilized specialized rescue forces, medical personnel, search dogs and humanitarian supplies for deployment to the South American nation.
The military contingent consists of 82 personnel, including 26 officers and 56 professional soldiers, divided into four units.
Border guards and rescue dogs prepare to depart for Venezuela.
The command group is led by Major General Pham Van Ty, deputy director of the Rescue and Salvage Department under the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. His deputies are Major General Nguyen Duy Minh, deputy director of the Department of Foreign Relations, and Colonel Mac Duc Trong, deputy director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
The engineering rescue team includes 31 personnel equipped with victim detection devices, concrete-cutting and lifting equipment and other specialized tools for collapsed-structure rescue.
A 30-member military medical team has been deployed with medicines, medical equipment and supplies. The team includes personnel from Military Hospitals 103, 354 and 105.
The Border Guard Command has also contributed a 10-member search-and-rescue dog unit from Border Guard Intermediate School No. 24, bringing eight specially trained rescue dogs.
Military medical personnel prepare equipment before deployment.
The dogs and their handlers were selected based on their experience in domestic and international rescue missions, with several members having previously participated in earthquake response operations in Myanmar.
In total, the military mission is transporting about 88 tonnes of equipment and humanitarian supplies, including 50 tonnes of emergency rations, 1,600 tents and 15 generators packed in 628 cargo packages.
The team is expected to travel by commercial aircraft from Noi Bai International Airport to Maiquetia International Airport, about 40 kilometers from Caracas, before continuing by road to the operational area. The deployment is expected to last around 20 days.
Military engineers, medics and border guards prepare for the overseas humanitarian mission.
At a deployment ceremony on June 28, General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defense, described the mission as an important humanitarian effort reflecting Vietnam's foreign policy and longstanding friendship with Venezuela.
He noted that this is the fourth time Vietnam has deployed military personnel overseas for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, following earthquake missions to Türkiye and Myanmar in 2023 and 2025.
General Cuong instructed commanders to act proactively in the field, stressing that rescue decisions often cannot wait for higher-level approval.
"In specific situations, commanders must consult with their teams and decide on the best course of action without waiting for instructions on every issue, because saving even one minute could mean saving a life," he said.
Senior leaders of Vietnam's Central Military Commission and Ministry of National Defense pose with military personnel before their departure for the earthquake relief mission in Venezuela.
He also urged relevant agencies to secure the earliest possible flight, even overnight, emphasizing that rescue operations remain within the critical "golden hours" for locating survivors.
Separately, the Ministry of Public Security has dispatched a 41-member rescue contingent led by Colonel Pham Hung Duong, deputy director of the Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue Police Department.
The police team includes specialists in collapsed-structure rescue, emergency medicine, communications, logistics and operational command. It was formed in coordination with the Ministry of National Defense.
Speaking at the police deployment ceremony, Deputy Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen extended condolences to the Venezuelan government and people.
The Ministry of Public Security holds a departure ceremony on June 28 for its rescue team heading to Venezuela to support earthquake relief operations.
He said Vietnam's rapid deployment demonstrates not only humanitarian responsibility but also international solidarity and the traditional friendship between the two countries.
Tuyen instructed the team to maintain discipline, cooperate closely with local authorities and prioritize the safety of personnel while carrying out rescue operations.
"Each member of the mission carries a specific responsibility. But behind that responsibility is the image of a compassionate and responsible Vietnam, always ready to stand with international friends in times of need," he said.
Vietnamnet.vn
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