Vietnamese peacekeeping force deployed to South Sudan
After nearly five years of preparation, Vietnam's Level 2 Field Hospital No. 1 was selected by the United Nations to replace the UK's Level 2 Field Hospital in Bentiu, South Sudan Mission.
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| Level 2 Field Hospital No. 1 departs for a mission at the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan. Photo: Thanh Vu/VNA |
Attending the ceremony were Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh - Deputy Minister of National Defense, Head of the Ministry of National Defense's Steering Committee on Vietnam's participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations; Senior Lieutenant General Pham Ngoc Minh - Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army; Lieutenant General Le Hien Van - Deputy Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army; Mr. Nguyen Van Giau - Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee; Mr. Huynh Cach Mang - Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.
Also attending were representatives of a number of ministries, departments and branches; a number of ambassadors, representatives of foreign diplomatic agencies, international organizations and military attaches of countries in Vietnam.
Mr. Atul Khare - Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations attended online and spoke from the United Nations headquarters.
Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh affirmed that Vietnam's participation in peacekeeping activities is a breakthrough in implementing the country's foreign policy, while marking a change in both quality and quantity in multilateral cooperation activities in general and in defense and security in particular.
In addition, Vietnam has sent military officers to countries in conflict to directly participate in discussions and policy-making related to international peace and security, promoting compliance with the principles of international law, the United Nations Charter, fighting against the arms race, disarmament, preventing and resolving disputes by peaceful means.
Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh emphasized that, born from the people and fighting for the people, over the past 70 years, the Vietnam People's Army has not only excellently fulfilled the task of protecting the Fatherland, but also made an important contribution to implementing the State's foreign policy.
The Army's participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations further demonstrates the role of the People's Army in the nation's revolutionary cause and in fulfilling international obligations.
On behalf of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh requested the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department and agencies and units within the Ministry of National Defense to closely coordinate with relevant departments, ministries and branches to manage, lead and closely direct the implementation of peacekeeping missions of the Level 2 Field Hospital in the South Sudan Mission.
In addition, the officers and staff of the Field Hospital are required to unite closely, overcome difficulties, and successfully complete all tasks assigned by Vietnam and the United Nations, worthy of the trust of the Party, the State, the Army, and the people; maintain and promote the tradition and good image of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the eyes of international friends; actively strive to contribute to the good implementation of the State's foreign policy, enhance Vietnam's position in the international arena, enhance the prestige and position of the Vietnam People's Army, and create a favorable international environment to build and protect the Fatherland in the new situation; thoroughly grasp and strictly implement the regulations of the United Nations, the Mission, the laws of the host country, the laws of the State, and the discipline of the Vietnam People's Army, ensuring safety in performing tasks.
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| Soldiers fold the national flag and prepare to leave for their mission. Photo: Xuan Khu/VNA |
Vietnam's level 2 field hospital participating in the United Nations peacekeeping operations not only demonstrates Vietnam's goodwill and responsibility for the United Nations' peacekeeping operations, but also demonstrates Vietnam's efforts and capacity in directly participating in peacekeeping operations, bringing stability and peace to people in countries and regions still facing difficulties due to instability, conflict, poverty, backwardness, and epidemics.
Reporting on the preparations of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 1, Colonel Hoang Kim Phung, Director of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, affirmed that after nearly 5 years of serious and urgent preparation, Level 2 Field Hospital No. 1 has met United Nations standards and was selected by the United Nations to replace the UK's Level 2 Field Hospital in Bentiu, South Sudan Mission.
Up to now, all preparations have been completed, Level 2 Field Hospital No. 1 is ready to depart to join the United Nations peacekeeping force and is ready to successfully complete the tasks assigned by the Party and the Army.
At the ceremony, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of National Defense, handed over the military flag and the President's Decision to send Level 2 Field Hospital No. 1 to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan to the leadership of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 1 to depart for the mission in South Sudan.
On the same day, 30 officers, soldiers and staff of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 1 will board a plane to take up their duties in Bentiu, South Sudan.
The remaining group of 33 officers, soldiers and staff will depart in the second phase, taking place 2 weeks later.
