Prime Minister Le Minh Hung praised Vietnam's earthquake rescue team after its return from Venezuela, describing the mission as a symbol of courage, compassion and international responsibility.
On July 11, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung attended a ceremony honoring Vietnam's search and rescue team following the successful completion of its humanitarian mission in earthquake-affected Venezuela.
The Vietnamese rescue contingent included 124 officers and personnel from the military and public security forces, 10 search-and-rescue and police dogs, together with modern specialized equipment. The team departed for Venezuela on June 28.
Over more than 10 days, the mission worked alongside local authorities to recover and hand over the bodies of 57 victims to their families and local officials. The team also identified 46 additional locations for follow-up operations by Venezuelan rescue forces, delivered 5.6 tonnes of essential humanitarian supplies, donated their own mission allowances totaling US$15,000, and provided medical examinations and medicines for more than 132 local residents.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, General Phan Van Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, meet members of Vietnam's rescue mission.
Venezuela awarded the First-Class Hero of Venezuela Medal to the Vietnamese rescue contingent, the Second-Class Hero of Venezuela Medal to all 124 members of the mission, and the Meritorious Service Medal to the team's search-and-rescue dogs.
Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Search and Rescue Department under the General Staff and head of the mission, said the team operated under intense conditions for more than 10 days, often working through the night regardless of rain or heat, while overcoming time differences, unfamiliar environmental conditions and the overwhelming odor caused by decomposing bodies.
"Three times we received information from the host country indicating possible signs of life. Our entire team stayed awake through the night in heavy rain alongside local rescue forces, determined to save every possible life," he said.
Many of the sites assigned to the Vietnamese team were among the most dangerous and technically challenging, where several international rescue teams had previously been unable to conduct search operations.
Major General Pham Van Ty reports on the mission's results.
No matter how harsh the conditions, the rescue personnel remained determined to carry out their mission with the same dedication they would show in searching for members of their own families. At times, rescuers descended into underground spaces dozens of meters deep beneath collapsed high-rise buildings to reach victims.
"We kept reminding each other that every search was like searching for our own loved ones. Whenever we recovered a victim and saw family members break down in tears, we could not hold back our own emotions. That is the compassion that Vietnam and its people wanted to share with the people of Venezuela," Major General Pham Van Ty said.
Amid danger, Vietnam demonstrated courage
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said that despite the extremely short preparation time and exceptionally difficult conditions, the delegation demonstrated remarkable determination and resilience. The team raced against time to search for victims, conduct rescue operations and provide humanitarian assistance to local communities without fear of hardship or danger.
Those efforts and achievements, he said, have been widely recognized by the international community as well as the Government and people of Venezuela. In particular, Venezuela's acting president visited the Vietnamese contingent's base to personally express gratitude and present high-level honors, including the Hero of Venezuela Order for General Secretary and President To Lam and Hero of Venezuela Medals for members of the mission.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung says Vietnam seeks to build a nation that is resilient yet compassionate, confident yet peace-loving, and developed yet responsible.
According to the Prime Minister, these honors belong not only to the mission members but also represent a source of pride for the entire nation and stand as a vivid testament to international solidarity.
He paid special tribute to those who worked directly in disaster zones. Despite facing danger and operating in extremely harsh conditions, they projected a positive image of Vietnam's armed forces while enhancing the country's reputation on the international stage.
"Amid devastation, Vietnam brought hope. Amid loss, Vietnam brought compassion. Amid danger, Vietnam demonstrated courage. Amid sorrow, Vietnam brought solidarity," the Prime Minister said.
He noted that as Vietnam enters a new stage of development with greater ambitions, broader responsibilities and a stronger international standing, the country must continue strengthening its capacity and effectiveness in international search-and-rescue operations and humanitarian assistance.
The Prime Minister called for the continued development of an elite, professional and rapidly deployable international rescue force. He emphasized the need to strengthen specialized teams in search and rescue, emergency medicine and disaster response, trained to international standards and capable of effective inter-agency and multinational cooperation.
He also stressed the importance of unified command mechanisms, rapid decision-making procedures, clear mobilization plans, defined responsibilities and scenario-based contingency planning for different types of emergencies.
Military and public security personnel attend the recognition ceremony.The Prime Minister commended the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam Airlines and other agencies for their close coordination in planning and deploying the mission.Prime Minister Le Minh Hung presents Second- and Third-Class Fatherland Protection Orders to outstanding organizations.General Phan Van Giang presents Second- and Third-Class Fatherland Protection Orders to individual recipients.Prime Minister Le Minh Hung joins delegates and members of Vietnam's rescue mission at the recognition ceremony.
The Government, he said, will continue prioritizing investment in victim detection technologies, rescue equipment, field medical systems and personal protective gear while ensuring the safety, health, psychological well-being and logistical support of personnel deployed on humanitarian missions.
Relevant agencies should also take a more active role in international cooperation on disaster management, search and rescue, training and joint exercises.
The Prime Minister asked the Ministries of National Defence, Public Security and Foreign Affairs to study and selectively apply lessons learned from the Venezuela mission to further improve Vietnam's civil defence system and its capacity to prevent, respond to and recover from disasters and emergencies.
"The strength of a nation is measured not only by the size of its economy, its defence capability or its technological development, but also by its willingness and ability to share responsibility with the international community. We must build a Vietnam that is resilient yet compassionate, confident yet peace-loving, developed yet responsible, and deeply integrated into the world while preserving its national identity," the Prime Minister affirmed.
Vietnamnet.vn
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