The delegation was welcomed at the airport by Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vu Trung My, Defense Attaché of Vietnam to Venezuela Senior Colonel Vu The Trung, officials and staff of the Embassy of Vietnam and the Defense Attaché Office in Venezuela.
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The Vietnamese contingent arrives at the airport. |
Representing the Venezuelan side were Minister of Foreign Affairs Yvan Gil Pinto, senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and representatives of the Ministry of Defense, among others.
In his speech, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto said that no words could fully express the profound solidarity and support extended by the Party, State, and people of Vietnam to the Government and people of Venezuela during this difficult time. On behalf of the Venezuelan Government and people, he conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for sending the contingent to assist in post-earthquake relief efforts.
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Ambassador Vu Trung My welcomes the contingent. |
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Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto welcomes the Vietnamese contingent. |
Ambassador Vu Trung My expressed his deep emotion and pride upon hearing the name "Vietnam" and seeing the national flag flying at Simón Bolívar International Airport, while witnessing Vietnamese armed forces arriving in Venezuela to stand alongside the Venezuelan people in their time of need.
"I can hardly find words to describe my emotions other than feeling deeply moved and immensely proud. This is a truly meaningful mission," Ambassador Vu Trung My told reporter from the People's Army Newspaper.
For his part, Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Search and Rescue Department under the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Head of the Vietnamese delegation, affirmed to Minister Yvan Gil Pinto that Vietnam's decision to deploy personnel to Venezuela reflected not only the country's international responsibility, but also the deep sentiment Vietnam extends to Venezuela. He pledged that the contingent would spare no effort in fulfilling its mission and helping alleviate the hardships faced by the Government and people of Venezuela.
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Vietnamese and Venezuelan representatives and the Vietnam Airlines flight crew pose for a group photo with the Vietnamese contingent at the airport. |
Despite the long journey from Vietnam to Venezuela, all members of the contingent remained in good health, maintained high morale, and stood ready to carry out their assigned tasks.
After completing entry procedures, the contingent moved to its temporary operating base in La Guaira State on the afternoon of June 29 (local time). Personnel organized accommodation, transported equipment, essential supplies, medical materials, and other mission support assets in preparation for deployment.
Subsequently, the head of the Vietnamese contingent, several team members, and Venezuelan representatives conducted an on-site assessment in La Guaira State which was hardest hit by the twin earthquakes, to prepare for the deployment of personnel and specialized equipment for search and rescue operations.
The Vietnamese contingent comprises 124 members. The Vietnam People's Army sent 82 personnel, including 26 officers and 56 non-commissioned officers, organized into four teams, namely the command team, the engineering team, the military medical team, and the handler and service dog team. The contingent also includes reporters from the People's Army Newspaper and the Military Broadcasting Center.
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The assessment team surveys the disaster area in preparation for search and rescue operations. |
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Members of the assessment team conduct a field study. |
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Widespread post-earthquake destruction |
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The Vietnamese contingent at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía |
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The Vietnamese contingent welcomed at the airport |
By Hoang Vu (from La Guaira, Venezuela)
Translated by Mai Huong