VIENTIANE: Army personnel from Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia are strengthening disaster response capabilities, search and rescue skills, and regional co-operation.
Their skills in this field got a boost last week with a second Joint Disaster Relief Exercise, held on Oct 9 at the Vietnam People’s Army training centre.
The exercise involved senior military officials, disaster relief steering committees, exercise commanders and rescue personnel from the three countries to assess preparedness and strengthen cooperation in responding to natural disasters and other emergencies.
Those taking part included Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang.
The exercise aimed to review the readiness of personnel, vehicles and equipment, as well as the effectiveness of coordination plans and practical technical procedures ahead of the final full-scale rehearsal.
It sought to improve the operational capabilities of the participating forces, particularly in search and rescue operations, emergency first aid and disaster response. Through practical training and closer cooperation, the three militaries are working to ensure their personnel can respond efficiently and effectively to real-life emergencies.
A key objective is to ensure army personnel from the three countries can work together seamlessly when responding to disasters that require a coordinated regional effort.
The exercise reflects the three countries’ continued commitment to enhancing military cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The participating militaries are expected to use the lessons gained from the exercise to refine their response plans, strengthen technical capabilities, and improve coordination during future emergency operations.
The initiative highlights the importance of regional solidarity and practical cooperation in disaster management, with the shared objective of improving emergency response capabilities and protecting communities affected by natural disasters and other crises. - Vientiane Times/ANN
