Engineering Corps reviews earthquake relief mission in Venezuela

Sr. Col. Khong Manh Hung chairs the conference.

Reporting on the mission, Sr. Col. Nguyen Ngoc Trung, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Engineering Corps, said that the collapsed-structure search and rescue (SAR) team immediately conducted reconnaissance upon receiving its assignment from the Ministry of National Defense contingent. The team also coordinated with other Vietnamese forces to establish accommodations and ensure logistical support and was divided into four groups to carry out search operations at earthquake-damaged sites.

From June 29 to July 6, the team worked continuously for 15 hours a day, recovering 57 bodies and handing them over to the victims' families. At 9 p.m. on July 6, following instructions from the head of the contingent, the team concluded its SAR mission and joined the contingent's remaining activities. 

At the event, participants discussed challenges encountered during the operation and proposed measures to improve future international disaster response missions.

Addressing the event, Sr. Col. Khong Manh Hung praised the SAR personnel from Brigade 229 and Battalion 93 for their rapid deployment of personnel and equipment and their effective execution of the international humanitarian mission. He commended the team for making the most of every hour to coordinate search efforts, promptly identifying multiple locations where victims were trapped and handing them over to local authorities. He noted that the mission demonstrated the Engineering Corps' professionalism and capability in addressing non-traditional security challenges and earned high recognition from the international community as well as the Government and people of Venezuela.

Collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in supporting Venezuela's earthquake relief and recovery efforts honored at the event

At the conference, on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defense, the Deputy Political Commissar of the Engineering Corps presented the Prime Minister's Certificates of Merit to Brigade 229, Battalion 93, the Staff of the corps, and 26 engineering personnel. He also handed over the Minister of National Defense's Certificates of Merit to five individuals.

The Engineering Corps Command presented commendations to four collectives and nine individuals for their outstanding contributions to directing and supporting the deployment of the collapsed-structure SAR team during the earthquake relief mission in Venezuela.

Translated by Song Anh