Senior Lieutenant General Nguyễn Tân Cương awards the Certificate of Merit of the Minister of National Defence to rescuers. —VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of National Defence held a ceremony on Friday in Hà Nội to commend the Việt Nam People's Army team for their work rescuing victims after the earthquake in Turkey.

Speaking at the ceremony, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyễn Tân Cương, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Deputy Minister of National Defence, praised the units for upholding their responsibilities, directing the full preparation for the delegation, and highly appreciated the results of the team's performance in Turkey.

He said that despite the difficult conditions, the Vietnamese team stayed united and coordinated well with the forces of Turkey, and other countries in the search for victims buried under the rubble.

Humanitarian activities were highly appreciated by the international community, the Government and the people of Turkey, he said.

The Ministry of Defence awarded the Certificate of Merit to 76 individuals who have made outstanding achievements in their duties.

The Central Committee of the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union awarded certificates of merit to 22 individuals, and the Central Committee of the Việt Nam Red Cross presented certificates of merit to eight groups.

At the event, Turkish Ambassador to Việt Nam Haldun Tekneci said that Việt Nam was one of the first countries to send search and rescue forces from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Security to Turkey.

Ambassador Haldun Tekneci highly appreciated the brave efforts, selfless contributions and extremely noble actions of the Vietnamese rescue forces.

From February 13 to February 22, the Vietnamese rescue team worked closely with the Turkish rescue agency and rescuers from other countries to search for and support earthquake victims in 31 areas.

VNĐ10 billion raised by Việt Nam Red Cross

The Central Committee of the Việt Nam Red Cross Society (VRCS) has received nearly VNĐ10 billion (US$434,000) donated by Red Cross workers, organisations and businesses in support of Turkish and Syrian people following the devastating earthquake. 

The sum was raised at the launch of a fundraising campaign in Hà Nội on Thursday. 

In response to the appeal of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and with the approval of the Prime Minister, the VRCS issued a call for support for those affected by the earthquake in the two countries, which has been widely disseminated by the media and on social media, conveying a message of solidarity and support for the people of Turkey and Syria, demonstrating a sense of solidarity, responsibility, and humanitarianism of the Vietnamese Government, people and the VRCS, President of the VRCS Central Committee Bùi Thị Hoa said.

She vowed that all proceeds would be sent to the right recipients in a transparent and timely manner, in line with the law.

Hoa took the occasion to urge VRCS chapters nationwide, agencies, businesses, religious organisations and individuals to help Turkish and Syrian people overcome difficulties and return to normality.

Counsellor at the Turkish Embassy in Việt Nam Gulay Kosem Rignault thanked the Vietnamese Government, people and VRCS for providing invaluable support for Turkey.

Donations for the people of Turkey and Syria can be sent to the VRCS Central Committee at 82 Nguyễn Du, Hà Nội, or its representative office in the South at 201 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, District 1, HCM City. 

Donors can also send their contributions to the VRCS Central Committee's bank accounts at the Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, No.124 02 02 005 348 (for donations in VNĐ), No. 124 02 02 018198 (for donations in USD). 

The time to receive voluntary contributions will last through May 30. — VNS