Senior Colonel Nguyen The Hai, Deputy Chief of Staff of Military Region 2, highlighted a key challenge in disaster management within the area, which is vast with unstable soil and deteriorating infrastructure hindering mobility and rescue efforts during calamities.
In remote and mountainous areas, there is a shortage of secure residential space connected to productive land and resources for moving people from disaster-prone zones and fixing infrastructure.
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Troops of Division 316 (Military Region 2) assist residents of Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province in overcoming the consequences of rain, floods, and landslides in August, 2023. |
Lieutenant General Pham Duc Duyen, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of Military Region 2, stated that based on Resolution No.689-NQ/QUTW, the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of Military Region 2 issued Resolution No.02-NQ/DU on January 20, 2015, focusing on disaster prevention and mitigation and SAR towards 2020 and the following years. The resolution was to build and implement corresponding resolutions within subordinate units on natural disaster prevention and control.
Military Region 2 has laid much stress on reviewing and adjusting disaster prevention and SAR plans in line with actual conditions, especially coordinating with local authorities and relevant agencies to ensure readiness of forces and equipment.
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Troops of Regiment 877, the Ha Giang Provincial Military Command support locals in recovering from flood consequence in June, 2024. |
Major General Nguyen Dang Khai, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Military Region 2, noted that the region has strengthened training for commanding officers to enhance their coordination and problem-solving skills, and trained troops to master SAR tasks and equipment. Annually, the region directs units to conduct defensive area exercises at all levels and one province-level drill for responding to flash floods, landslides, and SAR operations.
Over the past decade, Military Region 2 has directed provincial military commands to organize 113 district-level drills and over 1,000 commune-level drills. These drills have improved local authorities and citizens' awareness and coordination capabilities in disaster response and mitigation.
Additionally, units of Military Region 2 have also maintained high combat readiness, formed quick response teams for disaster management and SAR missions, and regularly reviewed and practiced their disaster response plans.
The military region also focused on building a strong militia force of nearly 96,000 members to aid in natural disaster response.
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Troops of Military Region 2 help people in Van Chan district, Yen Bai province, recover from flash floods and landslides in 2018. |
Lieutenant General Pham Duc Duyen, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of Military Region 2, highlighted that these successes have stemmed from the holistic grasp of the military's role in disaster management by the leaderships across all levels of Military Region 2. The units have actively counseled local authorities, devised practical strategies, and prioritized education to cultivate accountability and resolve in both officers and soldiers.
Moving forward, the Party Committee and Command of Military Region 2 will continue to direct subordinate units to further improve their duties, assist local authorities in civil defense management, mobilize resources for equipment procurement, prepare forces, and stockpile logistical, technical, and financial reserves while enhancing training and drills.
Since 2014, Military Region 2 has experienced 1,552 natural disaster events, primarily storms, flash floods, and landslides; 1,373 fires; and 871 forest fires. The military region has been the key force in disaster response, mobilizing nearly 173,000 personnel and 4,600 vehicles for these efforts.
Translated by Trung Thanh