Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia hold first-ever joint search, rescue exercise

The drill, organized under an agreement inked at a defense ministers’ meeting in Hanoi in 2019, will run through Thursday.

It focuses on search and rescue in areas hit by floods and landslides, and where there are collapsed buildings and spills of toxic chemicals.

Lao Deputy Defense Minister Chanthong Sonate-at highlighted the significance of the exercise, noting it not only aims to build capacity and expertise in responding to natural disasters, but also provides an opportunity for the three countries to step up experience and cultural exchanges, contributing to strengthening the solidarity and trust among them.

Vietnam has deployed engineering and air forces, helicopters, boats, multi-purpose vehicles and military medicinal forces for the drill, said Senior Colonel Pham Hai Chau, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Search and Rescue Department.