This is the first time the program has been organized according to the agreement of the ministers at the Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam Defense Ministers Conference in Hanoi in 2019.
The opening ceremony saw the attendance of Lao Deputy Defense Minister Lieutenant General Chanthong Soneta-at, and representatives of the Vietnamese and Cambodian defense ministries, together with hundreds of officers and soldiers participating in this drill.
Addressing the ceremony, Lieutenant General Chanthong Soneta-at noted that natural disasters and problems related to climate change, such as floods, storms, tsunamis, earthquakes, landslides, droughts, and pandemics not only challenge people’s lives but also damage economic and environmental infrastructure, and affect the socio-economic development of countries worldwide, including Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. Therefore, the armed forces of the three countries should pay due attention to preventing non-traditional security threats, especially natural disasters.
The Lao deputy defense minister underscored this exercise is an important and meaningful event for the militaries of the three countries, in order to further enhance capacity in response to natural disasters in any circumstances, and create opportunities for participants to exchange experience and culture, contributing to strengthening solidarity and building trust among the three militaries.
On this occasion, Lieutenant General Chanthong Soneta-at requested all participants to show their high responsibility and observe all regulations and orders while ensuring solidarity during the drill.
The program attracts the participation of nearly 500 troops from the three militaries. During the five-day event, from September 10 to 15, forces of the participating countries will perform search and rescue work in flooding and landslide areas, and in collapsed construction with toxic chemicals.
According to Senior Colonel Pham Hai Chau, Deputy Director of the Search and Rescue Department under the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, during this drill, Vietnam participates in almost all of the contents. For examples, in the SAR operations on water surface, Vietnam mobilizes both engineering and air forces with helicopters, speedboats and divers.
Translated by Minh Anh