Vietnam Describes Venezuela Earthquake Relief Mission as Its Most Challenging Overseas Rescue Operation

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Vietnam has described its ongoing humanitarian mission in earthquake-hit Venezuela as the most difficult and dangerous overseas rescue operation ever undertaken by the country, citing extreme conditions and the scale of devastation caused by the twin earthquakes.

Major General Phạm Văn Tỵ, Deputy Director of the Rescue and Relief Department under the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and head of the Vietnamese rescue mission, told reporters from Playa Grande in Venezuela’s La Guaira state that the operation has surpassed the challenges faced during Vietnam’s earthquake relief missions in Türkiye in 2023 and Myanmar in 2025.

He said each disaster response mission presents unique challenges, noting that while rescue teams had to contend with freezing temperatures in Türkiye, both Myanmar and Venezuela exposed responders to extreme heat.

Describing the twin earthquakes as Venezuela’s deadliest seismic disaster in more than a century, Tỵ said thousands of people had lost their lives. He added that high temperatures had accelerated the decomposition of victims still trapped beneath collapsed structures, making search and recovery operations even more difficult.

The Vietnamese mission chief noted that every search site assigned to the team had previously been examined by international rescue crews, which had also found the operations exceptionally challenging. Nevertheless, he said Vietnam remained committed to its humanitarian responsibilities and to demonstrating solidarity with the people of Venezuela despite the significant risks.

Colonel Phạm Hùng Dương, Deputy Director of the Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security and Deputy Head of the Vietnamese mission, said the team had benefited from several key strengths during the operation.

He highlighted the strong sense of responsibility among rescue personnel, valuable experience gained from previous international humanitarian missions, effective coordination between the Vietnam People’s Army and public security forces, and the support provided by Venezuelan authorities.

Vietnam’s rescue mission continues to participate in international efforts to assist earthquake-affected communities in Venezuela, reflecting the country’s commitment to global humanitarian cooperation and disaster response.