Unprecedented event when Vietnamese Army conducts rescue in Türkiye

The Ministry of National Defense recently held a ceremony to commend the Vietnam People's Army's participation in humanitarian assistance and earthquake relief in Türkiye.

The commendation ceremony on the morning of February 24 was attended by Senior Lieutenant General Luong Cuong, Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army; Deputy Ministers of National Defense; Turkish Ambassador to Vietnam Haldung Tekneci; leaders of central ministries and branches and a number of international organizations.

Previously, on February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in southeastern Türkiye caused particularly serious damage to people and property.

As a country that has suffered many impacts from natural disasters, the Party, State, Government, Army and people of Vietnam pay special attention to and share the losses and difficulties of the Government and people of Turkey in the face of the earthquake disaster.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Trong Binh: The Vietnam People's Army's rescue team has demonstrated the tradition of "mutual love and support", ready to share and help each other in difficult times.

With the tradition of mutual love, mutual assistance, loving others as oneself and with the spirit of Vietnam being a friend, a reliable partner and an active, responsible member of the international community, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense decided to send forces and means to participate in rescue and humanitarian relief in Türkiye.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Trong Binh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, said that under urgent and unprecedented conditions, the working delegation was established with Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Department of Search and Rescue as commander and 76 officers and soldiers.

Despite the difficult and dangerous working conditions, harsh weather, night temperatures ranging from -6 to -10°C; no electricity and fresh water, and strong earthquake aftershocks; immediately after arriving in Hatay province, the rescue team coordinated closely with the Turkish disaster emergency response coordination agency to carry out the mission.

From February 13 to 22, the team searched 31 locations, discovered 15 locations with people in the rubble, of which 2 locations showed signs of life; handed over to the rescue force of the other side according to the contract to bring out 28 victims' bodies.

Vietnamese soldiers also coordinated with rescue teams from Bahrain and Mexico to search and identify 3 locations where 10 victims died and hand them over to local rescue units...

In recognition of the contributions of the working delegation, the Minister of National Defense, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society awarded certificates of merit to collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in performing their tasks.

The Turkish President met with the delegation and expressed his gratitude to Vietnam for not fearing difficulties and dangers to help the Turkish people overcome the consequences of the earthquake.

Turkish Ambassador Haldung Tekneci said that despite its experience, the scale and severity of the recent earthquakes were beyond Türkiye's capabilities, so it needed the international community's help.

Vietnam was one of the first countries to send search and rescue forces from the Ministry of Public Security, and then the Ministry of National Defense to Türkiye. Vietnamese rescue teams in the two cities of Ariaman and Hatay witnessed the extremely devastating situation and worked tirelessly in rescue and relief work. When they returned to Vietnam, they also donated their rescue and relief equipment.

“Today, we are here to honor and commend their extremely courageous efforts, selfless contributions and extremely noble actions. This noble gesture clearly demonstrates Vietnam’s commitment to carrying out global humanitarian missions. This also demonstrates the extremely good relationship that Türkiye and Vietnam have pursued over the years,” the Ambassador shared.

Turkish Ambassador Haldung Tekneci.

Speaking at the commendation ceremony, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defense, assessed that the members of the delegation had promoted the noble international spirit, national traditions and the noble qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", being calm, confident, not afraid of difficulties and hardships, not afraid of danger, ready to sacrifice, racing against time, taking advantage of every hour and every minute to coordinate search and rescue.

The Deputy Minister of Defense also sent his deep condolences to the Ambassador, the Government and people of Türkiye, especially to the families of the deceased and the injured, the orphans, and those who lost their homes and are now homeless.

"The Vietnamese army and people consider the great losses and damages that the Turkish people suffered in the recent earthquake disaster as their own losses and pain. We believe that, with the efforts and determination of the Turkish Government and people, and the support of the international community, Turkey will soon overcome this period of pain and loss," said Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong spoke at the commendation ceremony.

Through the results of participating in humanitarian assistance and earthquake disaster relief in Türkiye, the leaders of the Ministry of National Defense asked the delegation to evaluate, learn from experience, and overcome limitations and shortcomings in preparation, organization of forces, means, and equipment to carry out the mission.

It is necessary to study and absorb experiences from countries that have joined in supporting Türkiye to select appropriate content and add it to the training program to improve the quality and effectiveness of work to prevent, combat, and overcome the consequences of natural disasters and catastrophes.

76 officers, soldiers and delegates attended the commendation ceremony.

The rescue and humanitarian aid activities of the Vietnam People's Army in Türkiye have demonstrated the superior foreign policy and high responsibility of the Party, State and people of Vietnam towards the international community; at the same time, affirmed the prestige, sense of responsibility and capacity of the Vietnam People's Army in international integration and cooperation; leaving good impressions and sentiments in the hearts of the Turkish people and friends around the world.

Tran Thuong - Pham Hai