ĐÀ NẴNG — The US expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF-4) with 300 crew members, and the Vietnamese Navy hospital ship Khánh Hòa 01, arrived at Đà Nẵng City’s Tiên Sa Port yesterday to begin the Pacific Partnership 2017 (PP17) mission.

Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The Đà Nẵng stop marks the fourth consecutive year and the eighth time in 11 years that the Pacific Partnership mission takes place in Việt Nam’s provinces and cities. Personnel from the US, UK, Australia and Japan are participating in this year’s events in the central city.

Pacific Partnership personnel will work side-by-side with Vietnamese civilian medical officers in civil engineering projects, and exchange expertise with military medical staff, as well as participate in community projects.

As scheduled, a workshop on expert exchanges for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, improvement of capacity in dealing with oil spills as well as field training on response activities to oil spills at sea will be held during the 10-day programme.

PP17 also includes construction of storm-resistant houses in Hòa Nhơn Commune of Hòa Vang District, and renovation of the Hòa Liên 2 kindergarten, Hòa Hải Medical Clinic, and Hòa Nhơn community centre.

Lieutenant commander Greg Dusetzina, the American officer in charge of the Việt Nam mission, expects the multinational co-operation will continue to build on the progress of previous missions.

"Pacific Partnership includes traditional humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HA/DR), medical, engineering and community relation projects. We are excited to work alongside our partner nations to further develop lasting relationships of mutual trust, critical to maintaining peace and stability in the region," he said.

A Seventh Fleet Band will perform at the East Sea Park, and Pacific Partnership personnel will provide an English music exchange programme for Phan Châu Trinh High School students.

“Natural disasters don’t recognise borders, so Việt Nam, the US, and other Pacific nations must be prepared to respond quickly. Through Pacific Partnership, our countries are working and training together so that when disasters strike, we can seamlessly assist those in need. Our collaboration will enhance regional capacity in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” said US Ambassador to Việt Nam, Ted Osius.

On May 18, Pacific Partnership will continue to Khánh Hòa. — VNS