Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia hold joint rescue drill to strengthen regional coordination

The joint drill took place on Wednesday, attended by Vietnamese Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang and his Laotian and Cambodian counterparts, Khamlieng Outhakaysone and Tea Seiha, who also serve as Deputy Prime Ministers of Laos and Cambodia, respectively.

This was the fourth joint exercise among the three nations’ armed forces and the second time it has been hosted by Laos.

The exercise simulated rescue operations following building collapses and flood emergencies, including river and coastal search missions.

The troops practiced patrolling flood-affected areas by boat and drone to locate victims, rescuing those trapped in houses, trees, or isolated zones, and providing first aid before transferring the injured to field hospitals.

In the landslide response scenario, the forces collected data on affected residents, carried out search and rescue operations, treated the wounded, and airlifted seriously injured victims to health facilities.

The drill aimed to enhance coordination and rescue capabilities, and to strengthen humanitarian efforts to better protect civilians in disaster situations.

On the same day, the defense ministers of the three nations held their annual trilateral meeting in Vientiane.

The ministers agreed to further deepen defense cooperation among the three countries and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening solidarity among their nations and armed forces.

They also maintained a firm stance against allowing any hostile force to use one country’s territory to harm another’s interests.

The ministers pledged to enhance cooperation in border management and protection, fostering borders of peace, friendship, and sustainable development.

The three sides agreed to boost coordination in addressing non-traditional security challenges, including epidemic prevention, search and rescue operations, and the fight against transnational crimes through experience sharing and joint drills.

Finally, they reaffirmed their intention to maintain common stances at international and regional forums and to uphold ASEAN’s unity and central role in regional and global affairs.