The Vietnamese delegation presents medical equipment to Turkey. Photo: VNA

Vietnam will provide Turkey and Syria with USD 100,000 each as relief aid to support their recovery efforts following a devastating earthquake on February 6, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced on February 14, according to VNA's report.

The leader unveiled the information in a letter sent to the Presidents of Turkey and Syria, in which he said Vietnamese ministries and agencies will be assigned to take more necessary support measures in the time ahead.

On February 12, an international rescue delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security presented medical equipment and supplies weighing 2 tonnes to Turkey, through this country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

The aid includes emergency medicine, essential drugs, medical supplies, tents, chemicals for disease prevention and control, and medical equipment used in disaster emergency situations.

The Vietnamese delegation coordinates with AFAD to allocate medical equipment and supplies to recipients. Photo: VNA

Later the same day, the Vietnamese delegation coordinated with AFAD to allocate these equipment and other supplies to recipients, including the largest hospital in Adiyaman city.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Turkey, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Iran and Syria have kept a close watch on the situation, sent officials to the sites, supported the rescue teams, contributed one day’s salary, provided essential goods and assisted victims of the natural disasters, among activities.

The embassies said so far, there was no information on Vietnamese citizens dead or injured in the disaster.

The Vietnamese community in Turkey and Vietnam businesses give relief goods to the Bakırköy district government , Istanbul. Source: Tony Duong

On February 9 and 12, two delegations of 100 military personnel and police officers, along with equipment, were sent to Turkey to join search and rescue operations in the country.

In addition, a team from the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) has immediately begun search and rescue efforts in Haci Omer Alpagot commune, Antakya city, Hatay province of Turkey, after their arrival in the locality in the afternoon of February 14.

According to Vietnam Defense Television reporters accompanying the team, the team is sending small groups to conduct reconnaissance in the area. Once they detect any signals of survivors that needed to be rescued, they will immediately report to the commander who will dispatch forces to the scene and take necessary measures. Military medical forces will be ready to provide first aid in case of need. They are also ready to move victims out of the scene if required and hand them over to local authorities.

A team from the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) has begun search and rescue efforts in Haci Omer Alpagot commune, Antakya city, Hatay province of Turkey, after their arrival in the locality on February 14. Photo: VNA

The very same day their arrival in Hatay province, Vietnamese sappers located three points where victims are buried under debris due to the huge earthquakes in the province, one of the localities hardest hit by the natural disaster in Turkey.

The team searched for victims on the way to their assigned locality in Hatay, at the request of local residents.

Maj. Gen. Pham Van Ty, Deputy Chief of the Office of the National Committee for Incident and Disaster Response, Search and Rescue and Deputy Director of the Department of Search and Rescue under the VPA, directed the team in the search efforts.

The Vietnamese sappers coordinated with local rescue forces to take out one body from the ruins, and informed the other two points to local search and rescue units before moving on to their assigned area in Haci Omet commune, Alpaget district, Hatay.

The 76-strong rescue team of the VPA, along with 35 tonnes of cargo, departed for Turkey on February 12 night to assist the country in recovery efforts following the devastating earthquakes.

Vietnamese rescuers search for victims in Hatay province of Turkey. Photo: VNA

Meanwhile, the rescue team of the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security have helped to rescue a 17-year-old victim and moved the bodies of nine others from the rubble since they were sent to Turkey four days ago.

Deputy head of the Police Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Colonel Nguyen Minh Khuong, who leads the team, said they have closely coordinated with rescue forces from the US and Turkey, and used different equipment in the work.

The 24-member team of the ministry have engaged in search and rescue efforts in the Turkish southeastern city of Adiyaman, which is among the localities bearing the brunt of the earthquake, after they arrived in Istanbul International Airport on February 10.

Adiyaman is one of the three places most affected by the February 6 earthquake. As of February 13 noon (Vietnam time), the deadly disaster had killed more than 34,000 people in not only Turkey but also Syria. Hatay also is one of the provinces that was severely affected. According to Turkey's disaster management agency, more than 6,400 buildings have collapsed as a result of two major earthquakes and more than 430 aftershocks.

More than 32,000 Turks are taking part in rescue operations in cold weather, while millions need aid. The rescue work also has the participation of about 8,300 international rescuers, including those from Vietnam.

This is the first time Vietnam has deployed search and rescue forces in coordination with other countries following a natural disaster.

Vietnam Sends Search-and-Rescue Team to Turkey A delegation of Vietnamese emergency personnel will take off for Turkey, joining the international aid after an massive earthquake hit the nation.

Vietnamese Embassy, Community Join Search, Rescue Activities in Turkey The Vietnamese Embassy in Turkey along with community have joined hands in supporting relief efforts

Vietnamese Expats Show Supports For Turkish People The Vietnamese community in Turkey has raised its humanitarian spirit and called for donations to help local people overcome difficulties caused by the devastating earthquake ...