Prime Minister honors Vietnamese rescue team returning from Venezuela
VGP - Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on Saturday attended a ceremony honoring the Vietnamese People's Army and People’s Public Security delegation upon their return from Venezuela for earthquake relief and recovery efforts.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung attends a ceremony honoring the Vietnamese People's Army and People’s Public Security delegation upon their return from Venezuela, Ha Noi, July 11, 2026 - Photo: VGP
Following the devastating twin earthquakes in Venezuela, which caused severe loss of life and widespread property damage, a relief contingent comprising 124 officers and personnel from the Viet Nam People's Army and the People's Public Security, along with 10 military and police working dogs and modern equipment were deployed to support post-earthquake rescue and recovery operations.
The delegation recovered and handed over the bodies of 57 victims to their families and the Venezuelan authorities, identified 46 additional locations for follow-up operations by local rescue teams, delivered 5.6 tons of emergency relief supplies, including essential necessities, contributed US$15,000 from their mission allowances and voluntary donations, and provided medical examinations and medicines to more than 132 local residents.
Addressing the ceremony, the Government leader noted that the Vietnamese delegation's dedication and achievements have been widely recognized and praised by the international community, as well as from the Government and people of Venezuela.
In particular, the Acting President of Venezuela visited the delegation's base camp in person to express profound gratitude to the Party, State and people of Viet Nam, and presented prestigious awards, including the first-class "Hero of Venezuela" medal to General Secretary and President To Lam, and to members of the delegation.
The leader commended the officers and personnel who carried out their duties directly in the disaster-stricken areas despite facing danger and working under extremely harsh conditions.
He called for elevating awareness of international search and rescue and humanitarian assistance as a strategic priority ast it serves as an effective means of building trust, strengthening foreign relations, expanding international cooperation, and making meaningful contributions to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need to develop an elite and professional search and rescue force with advanced expertise, emergency medical response and disaster management.
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, stated the Government chief./.
