Vietnam's Military Mobilizes to Support Flood-Affected Communities

Severe flooding in central Vietnam has led to devastating consequences, prompting a swift and coordinated response from the nation's military. The General Staff of the Via + Nam People's Army has issued a directive to all military units, ensuring maximum readiness and mobilizing equipment and personnel to support affected localities. This urgent response follows Prime Minister Phao +m Minh Chinh's call for emergency measures, and has seen various branches of the military spring into action.

Key Takeaways:

• The General Staff of the Via + Nam People's Army has ordered all military units to maintain the highest level of readiness and mobilise maximum personnel and equipment to support flood-affected localities.
• Military Regions 4 and 5 have been tasked with coordinating with provincial authorities to operate 24-hour hotlines and deploy forces to the hardest-hit localities.
• Troops have been ordered to clear debris, repair infrastructure, and restore sanitation in critical areas such as hospitals, schools, administrative offices, and residential zones.
• The Air Defence-Air Force Service and Corps 18 are on standby for aerial rescue missions, while the Chemical Corps and Military Medical Department are working with local authorities to disinfect flooded areas and prevent post-disaster epidemics.
• The Signal Corps and Viettel Military Industry and Telecommunications Group are ensuring stable communications for government directives, and the Navy, Coast Guard, and Border Guard are mobilising ships and vehicles for rescue operations and logistics support.
• The General Departments of Logistics, Technology, and Defence Industry, along with Military Intelligence (General Department 2), have been instructed to ensure the safety of weapon depots, maintain technical readiness, and guarantee the timely delivery of rescue equipment to affected regions.

Statistics:

• Over 1,600 tonnes of stone have been transported by railway to stabilise the Bao +h Ha + railway bridge over the HAEdegining River.
• The water level surged to 4.93 metres – 1.43 metres above Level 3 flood alert.
• The current flooding is considered the region's most severe in recent years.

Sources:

• "General Staff orders high readiness level amid floods", Nhan Dan Newspaper, October 31, 2022.
• "Prime Minister calls for emergency response to flooding", Vietnam Television, October 29, 2022.