A damaged tower after an earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar. XINHUA/VNA Photo

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đỗ Hùng Việt has confirmed that Việt Nam commits to standing by Myanmar and Thailand in overcoming current challenges posed by the recent devastating earthquake.

He made the statement while addressing an urgent meeting of ASEAN’s foreign ministers held virtually on Sunday to tackle the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand.

The meeting was held under the suggestion of the 2025 ASEAN Chair, Malaysia.

Conveying the deepest condolences of the Vietnamese Government and people to Thailand and Myanmar, he said ASEAN must continue working closely with Myanmar to develop a long-term recovery and reconstruction plan.

In the immediate term, Việt Nam is urgently preparing to provide Myanmar with essential goods and supplies. More than 100 officers from the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security are being deployed to Myanmar to join the search and rescue operations, he said.

He emphasised that ASEAN must reaffirm its central role in coordinating efforts, especially in times of difficulties and challenges.

ASEAN should effectively leverage its existing mechanisms and tools, particularly the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) and the ASEAN Secretary-General, to mobilise and efficiently coordinate resources from both ASEAN and its partners. This will enhance support for disaster recovery and rehabilitation efforts, he said.

The Vietnamese Deputy Minister also called on all parties in Myanmar to take responsibility for ensuring that humanitarian aid is delivered safely and reaches all affected people without obstruction.

This could also serve as an opportunity for all parties in Myanmar to end violence, set aside differences and come together in relief efforts. Such cooperation would contribute to the country's recovery and reconstruction, bringing peace, stability and development to the people of Myanmar, he said.

At the conference, representatives from ASEAN countries strongly affirmed their solidarity and commitment to standing with Myanmar and Thailand in efforts to mitigate the consequences, reduce damage and support post-disaster recovery.

Several ASEAN nations have announced that they have either already provided or plan to send humanitarian aid and rescue teams to Myanmar to assist in search and rescue operations.

Within the ASEAN framework, ASEAN member states agreed on the need to enhance the effectiveness of emergency response mechanisms, particularly by leveraging the role of the AHA Centre and the ASEAN Secretary-General in coordinating relief efforts both within and beyond the region.

They emphasised mobilising further resources and aid from the international community. —VNS