Improve capacity and be ready to effectively respond to incidents and natural disasters

Also attending were Politburo members: Nguyen Hoa Binh, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister; General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense; General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security; Senior Lieutenant General Trinh Van Quyet, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army; representatives of leaders of ministries, branches, central agencies; and representatives of the Myanmar Embassy in Vietnam.

The Ministry of National Defense said that, implementing the direction of the Standing Committee of the Party Central Committee Secretariat, the Prime Minister, and the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense decided to send a working delegation, including 80 comrades and nearly 60 tons of goods and equipment, to Myanmar to support and overcome the consequences of the earthquake disaster from March 30 to April 7.

In the capital Naypyidaw, the Army Team was assigned to search for missing people in 3 areas: Bala Tidi apartment building, Ottara Thiri Hospital and Aye Chan Thar Hotel. The Team promptly used sniffer dogs and specialized equipment, wall-penetrating radar, and image-detecting radar to detect 32 locations of victims, and directly organized searches in 20 locations, discovering and recovering 21 bodies. The Team also coordinated with the Turkish rescue force to save the life of a 26-year-old man and handed him over to his family with the respect of local people and the rescue force of the neighboring country.

In addition, the team also found and brought out many assets and equipment worth hundreds of thousands of USD to hand over to the victims' families and the hospital. At the same time, a number of foreign rescue teams arrived but all left due to the complexity and danger; there were no heavy equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, only specialized hand tools and manpower were used to dig, go deep into the rubble to search for victims, at risk of collapse at any time due to aftershocks after the earthquake.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

Following the direction of the Minister of National Defense, the delegation carried out humanitarian activities for local people, handing over to the Myanmar Ministry of Welfare and Reconstruction 50 tons of dry food, 3,026 tents, more than 20 tons of equipment, generators, food, medical supplies and other equipment and supplies.

The delegation members donated 5 thousand USD (US) to the Myanmar Ministry of Social Security to support the families of the victims; organized medical examinations and provided medicine to more than 200 people.

The Vietnamese side highly appreciates and values ​​the activities of the Vietnamese delegation (which no other delegation has been able to do so far) in the context of hospitals in the capital being devastated and lacking medicine and medical equipment.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates attending the award ceremony. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

Viettel Group has ensured full communication and many equipments to serve 2 military and police delegations on duty in Myanmar; provided free telecommunications services to more than 4.5 million customers in Myanmar; provided phone SIM cards to more than 30,000 people and international rescue teams; helped people with thousands of tents; supported 650 million Chak (equivalent to 4 billion VND) to the Myanmar Government.

Viettel Group also proactively coordinated well in propaganda work, sharing information with more than 100 domestic and foreign press and media agencies to promote images of the activities of the two working groups of the Army and the Police, thereby deeply spreading the image of the fierce search and rescue of the two Vietnamese groups in Myanmar and the world.

Officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army participating in the rescue mission in Myanmar attended the ceremony. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

In addition, the delegation has carried out foreign affairs activities well, exchanged contacts and shared rescue experiences with professional agencies of Myanmar, Türkiye, UAE, etc.

The Minister of Social Welfare and Reconstruction; Mayor of Naypyidaw City met with the Vietnamese Ambassador to Myanmar and the Army rescue team to thank and appreciate the efforts, qualifications, and responsibility in the search and rescue of the team (especially the search and rescue of 17/17 bodies at Ottara Thiri Hospital).

On April 6, Myanmar announced the transition to the reconstruction phase and held a Commendation Ceremony to express gratitude and appreciation for the relief support provided by the Vietnamese Army delegation.

Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Department of Rescue and Relief (General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army) spoke at the ceremony. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

According to the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry's working delegation includes 26 officers and soldiers from the Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police Department, the Fire Prevention and Fighting University, the Mobile Police Command, the Hanoi City Police and related units, along with 2 service dogs and more than 1 ton of supplies, goods, specialized equipment for combat, and nearly 3 tons of medical supplies.

Under the direction of the Rescue Coordination Board, the Vietnam Ministry of Public Security's rescue team conducted surveys at 7 scenes, of which they were assigned to directly carry out rescue operations at 4 locations and coordinate and support at 3 locations.

The team used special equipment and vehicles such as: concrete crushing equipment that does not create vibrations, hydraulic iron cutting equipment, radar equipment to detect victims...

Rescue results: The team directly removed 7 victims' bodies from the collapsed area, and coordinated with authorities to locate and support other international delegations to retrieve 7 victims and hand them over to their families and authorities.

Colonel Nguyen Minh Khuong, Director of the Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police Department (Ministry of Public Security) spoke at the ceremony. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

The Ministry of Public Security has provided two batches of medicine, medical equipment, necessities, and accommodation supplies (tents, individual canvas beds, blankets, pillows, mosquito nets, etc.) to Myanmar with a total volume of 11 tons.

In addition, the Ministry of Public Security's Rescue Team directly provided financial support to 7 families of the deceased victims, presented gifts to 185 patients at 2 field hospitals, and supported people affected by natural disasters through the Myanmar Disaster Relief Agency with a total amount of 20 million Chak (Myanmar currency); organized medical examination and treatment, and distributed medicine to more than 50 patients; set up many tents as temporary shelters for victims in concentrated areas due to homelessness and patients at the Field Hospital.

In addition, the Delegation closely combined search and rescue tasks with mass mobilization work, organizing 5 activities to distribute food and drinking water to people in concentrated areas and at the places where the delegation performed its tasks.

The professionalism and dedication of the rescue soldiers of the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam has received praise and admiration from rescue forces of other countries, thereby spreading and promoting the beautiful image of the People's Police soldiers in the eyes of international friends...

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh and leaders of the Ministry of National Defense attended the ceremony. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

Speaking at the ceremony, on behalf of the Government and people of Vietnam, the Prime Minister once again expressed his deepest condolences to the Ambassador, the Government and people of Myanmar for the damage and loss caused by the recent earthquake. The Prime Minister believes that with the efforts and determination of the Government and people of Myanmar, and the support and assistance of the international community, Myanmar will soon overcome these difficulties and challenges.

The Prime Minister also affirmed that this will contribute to improving the experience and capacity of Vietnamese rescue forces in responding to natural disasters, including earthquakes.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the Working Group has promoted the spirit of solidarity, discipline, bravery, high determination, confidence, not afraid of difficulties, hardships, not afraid of danger, racing against time to coordinate search and rescue...

Scene of the ceremony. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

The Prime Minister affirmed that the participation of the Army and Police in the rescue and support of earthquake victims in Myanmar is very meaningful, contributing to demonstrating the stature, role, position and importance of the country; the country's potential and response capacity to incidents in the world and the region;

Affirming that the Vietnamese people have a tradition of "mutual love and support", international solidarity, loyalty, with the spirit of "the healthy leaves cover the torn leaves"; "national love, compatriots' love", humanity, humanity with international friends; selfless and pure help; affirming the growth and maturity, demonstrating the heroic nature of the People's Army and the People's Public Security of Vietnam, further embellishing the image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", the People's Public Security "Forgetting themselves for the country, serving the people".

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh presented certificates of merit from the Prime Minister to collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in rescue work in Myanmar (Photo: TRAN HAI).

This also affirms that Vietnam is a responsible member of the international community; always contributing to maintaining stability, peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world; developing for stability, stability for development; bringing prosperity and happiness to the people.

The Working Group has thoroughly implemented the principles and commands at the scene, especially the safety principles in search and rescue. The officers and soldiers are fully aware of their responsibility, honor, pride and determination to excellently complete the assigned tasks, enhancing the good image of the People's Army, the People's Police of Vietnam and the pride of the nation and country.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other leaders took a souvenir photo with the rescue team of the Army and Police. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

The Prime Minister acknowledged and highly appreciated the Central Military Commission, the leaders of the Ministry of National Defense, the Central Public Security Party Committee, and the leaders of the Ministry of Public Security for being sensitive and proactive in advising the Party and State in handling international issues in general, including search and rescue missions.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged and commended the news agencies and press for promptly reporting and reflecting the activities of the Working Group, creating a widespread influence on cadres, soldiers of the entire force and people nationwide.

The Prime Minister stated that through the rescue and relief activities in the earthquake disasters in Turkey and Myanmar, we can draw lessons in implementing activities abroad and thoroughly assess the capacity to respond to non-traditional security issues:

Firstly, we must grasp the situation firmly, when problems arise, incidents appear causing disasters to proactively, sensitively, promptly respond, advise competent authorities; closely follow the foreign policies and guidelines of the Party, State and the actual conditions of the country to implement according to authority.

Second, command, leadership and direction must be decisive, thorough, responsive, timely, appropriate and effective.

Third, the plan to mobilize appropriate forces and means must be practical and effective; select officers and soldiers who are well-trained, healthy, experienced in practice, especially those with a high sense of responsibility, who know how to handle incidents; must be both brave and clever to preserve forces.

Fourth, proactively prepare early and from afar in terms of personnel and means suitable for all types of incidents and disasters. Do a good job of selection, training, drills, and exercises to ensure readiness to respond promptly to any incidents that may occur; demonstrate a humane and noble spirit;

Fifth, the implementing organization must unify the plan, assign tasks clearly and specifically, coordinate closely; strictly follow orders and commands at the scene; be flexible and creative to have effective plans at the scene.

Sixth, focus on information and reporting work to ensure smooth and effective communication; strengthen communication to promote Vietnam's foreign relations and policies; spread a good image of the Vietnamese people and country; demonstrate sincerity, affection and sharing with people of other countries.

The Prime Minister stated that in 2025 and the coming time, non-traditional security challenges, especially natural disasters and catastrophes in the world and the region, are increasingly complex and unpredictable, and domestically, floods, droughts, saltwater intrusion, landslides, and subsidence are increasingly intense, so preparing and responding to these challenges and risks is becoming more urgent and urgent.

In addition, in the coming development period, our country will further promote the human factor, human security, security, safety and security of the people. The above context and situation pose higher requirements and tasks for raising awareness, responsibility and capacity in preventing, responding to and overcoming the consequences of incidents, natural disasters, epidemics and natural disasters.

The Prime Minister noted a number of key tasks that need to be well performed in the coming time for the two forces of the Army, the Police and related forces:

Thoroughly grasp resolutions and directives of the Party, Government, and Prime Minister on responding to non-traditional security challenges; effectively implement strategies on civil defense; prevent and combat natural disasters, respond to climate change, etc.

Continue to improve the system of legal documents, supplement and perfect mechanisms and policies; strengthen information and propaganda, raise awareness and knowledge of prevention and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters, catastrophes, epidemics, etc.

Increase investment in disaster response forces; search and rescue; build specialized forces along with improving the capacity of local forces, a broad force that is both elite and has a strong presence. Promote research, transfer, and application of science and technology, improve forecasting and warning capacity; strengthen international cooperation in responding to and overcoming the consequences of disasters, incidents, natural disasters, epidemics, etc.

Proactively review and improve plans and solutions for flood and storm prevention, search and rescue, overcoming the consequences of natural disasters and catastrophes, and organize practice drills to master the plans; prepare well in terms of forces, means, and equipment to be ready to mobilize to perform tasks both domestically and internationally, in all conditions, in all locations, and in different terrains.

The Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall evaluate, learn from, and overcome limitations and shortcomings in the preparation, organization of forces, means, and equipment; study and absorb experiences from other countries to supplement the training program to improve the quality and effectiveness of the work of preventing and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters and catastrophes, etc.

The Prime Minister stated that natural disaster prevention, search and rescue, including the deployment of forces abroad to participate in search and rescue activities, and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters and incidents, are of great significance to the country's socio-economic development; effectively implementing foreign policies, promoting international cooperation, enhancing the country's prestige and position, and demonstrating that Vietnam is a responsible member of the international community.

The results of this working group to support the recovery of the earthquake consequences in Myanmar contributed many good experiences and valuable lessons, adding to the treasure trove of experiences related to rescue, relief, and overcoming natural disasters and catastrophes in the coming time; clearly showing that the Army and the Police are always the two frontline forces in difficult times. The results of the two working groups have left many valuable lessons and beautiful images in the hearts of international friends and our people.

At the ceremony, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, the Prime Minister awarded the Third Class Fatherland Protection Medal to the Department of Rescue and Relief (General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army) and the Department of Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police (Ministry of Public Security) and 3 individuals from the Army and Police forces.

On behalf of the Government, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh awarded Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister to collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in participating in overcoming the consequences of the earthquake in Myanmar.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nang-cao-nang-luc-san-sang-ung-pho-hieu-qua-cac-su-co-tham-hoa-thien-nhien-post871193.html