Hatay (VNA) – The rescueteam of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) presented nearly 25 tonnes of relief toTurkey on February 21 to help with the settlement of earthquake aftermath.

The aid, including packed rations,rice, milk, medical supplies, and many other essentials, was handed overat the Hatay stadium in Antakya city, the capital of Hatay province.

Speaking at the presentation, Maj.Gen. Pham Van Ty, Deputy Chief of the Standing Office of the National Committeefor Incident and Natural Disaster Response, Search and Rescue and DeputyDirector of the Rescue Department at the VPA’s General Staff, and head of the team, said the reliefdemonstrates the sympathies from the Vietnamese people and Ministry of NationalDefence to the Turkish people over the huge human and property losses they are suffering from.

He also expressed his hope thatTurkey can manage to address earthquake consequences soon.

On behalf of Turkish authorities, AmbassadorHakan Cakil, a representative of the Turkish Foreign Ministry in Hatay province,appreciated the VPA’s assistance and said the practical support will helpTurkish people surmount difficulties and losses.

In particular, the medicalsupplies they donated will be quickly transported to local hospitals and health centres to servethe delivery of emergency aid and treatment to patients, he noted.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on February 21, VietnameseAmbassador to Turkey Do Son Hai said search and rescue operations by the teamsof the Vietnamese ministries of public security and national defence havereceived high evaluation from local administrations and people, internationalrescue teams, as well as Vietnamese people.

They performed tasks in Adiyaman and Hatay provinces, about500km from each other and among the localities hit hardest by the earthquake. Thiswas a challenging environment, so the teams’ successes became even moremeaningful, he went on.

Highlighting the diplomatic significance of the teams’engagement in search and rescue efforts, Hai said this was the first timeVietnam had sent rescue teams to a humanitarian mission in such a farawayplace, helping implement the Party and State’s policy that Vietnam is aresponsible member of the international community.

Besides, it also showed that Vietnam is able to fulfill theresponsibilities that the international community entrusts to the countrydespite difficulties and even risks of loss, the diplomat went on, adding that thetwo teams’ performance also extends a message that Vietnam is not only aresponsible member of the international community but also capable of carryingout those responsibilities at its best./.