PM Honors Vietnamese Rescue Team's Humanitarian Mission in Venezuela

A delegation of 124 officers and personnel from the Viet Nam People's Army and the People's Public Security, accompanied by 10 working dogs, has returned after completing their humanitarian support mission in Venezuela following a devastating earthquake. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung honored their dedicated efforts at a ceremony held in Hanoi on July 11. The contingent was deployed to assist in the aftermath of the twin earthquakes that caused severe loss of life and widespread property damage. Their multifaceted operations included the recovery and handover of 57 victims' bodies to their families and Venezuelan authorities. They also identified 46 additional locations for follow-up operations by local rescue teams. Furthermore, 5.6 tons of emergency relief supplies, including essential necessities, were distributed. The team also contributed US$15,000 from their mission allowances and voluntary donations. A medical team provided examinations and medicines to over 132 local residents. Addressing the ceremony, the Prime Minister stated that the Vietnamese delegation's dedication and achievements have been widely recognized and praised by the international community, as well as by the Government and people of Venezuela. He specifically mentioned the personal visit of Venezuela's Acting President to the delegation's base camp to express profound gratitude to Vietnam's Party, State, and people, and to present prestigious awards, including the first-class "Hero of Venezuela" medal, to General Secretary and President To Lam and members of the delegation. The Prime Minister highly commended the officers and personnel for carrying out their duties in dangerous situations and under extremely harsh conditions. He called for elevating awareness of international search and rescue and humanitarian assistance as a strategic priority, noting its effectiveness in building trust, strengthening foreign relations, expanding international cooperation, and making meaningful contributions to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world. The need to develop an elite and professional search and rescue force with advanced expertise, emergency medical response, and disaster management capabilities was also emphasized. "A nation's strength is measured not only by the size of its economy, its defense capabilities, or its level of technological advancement, but also by its capacity to share responsibility with the international community," the Prime Minister remarked, highlighting the mission as an example of this principle.