Vietnam to Attend Exercise on Humanitarian Support, Disaster Relief in Brunei

Vietnam will take part in the humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and military medicine (HADR&MM) exercise in Brunei early next month, marking the country’s first time sending its force abroad for this kind of exercise, said Lieutenant-General Tran Quang Khue, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam’s Army. The event under the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) will promote relations and cooperation among armies of ASEAN-member nations. As a result, the force is asked promote the image and status of the Vietnam People’s Army via its ability, organization, command, coordination with other participating forces, military conducts and acts during the exercise program. Vietnam is one of the ten countries most vulnerable to natural disasters, particularly tropical storms, floods, landslides and droughts. Last year, Vietnam lost around VND16 trillion to natural calamities, compared to VND10 trillion in 2011 (Quan Doi Nhan Dan –People’s Army May 20, Phap Luat TP.HCM – HCM City Law May 21 p2)