In an online meeting with Vietnamese associations on January 6, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu assessed that a number of Vietnamese volunteers are actively supporting the earthquake-hit area in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan. Many have come to the site to provide essential goods to the affected Vietnamese people.

He said that support efforts need to be organized and widespread. He stressed that plans must be coordinated with local authorities and not affect the rescue and relief work of local authorities.

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu called on the Vietnamese community to be ready to support all difficult cases, regardless of nationality, during the relief process in the earthquake area.

He suggested that support work be carried out openly and transparently. In the next 2-3 days, efforts should focus on urgent matters such as providing food, water and shelter, and identifying specific groups of Vietnamese people in need of support. Long-term measures such as finding jobs and stabilizing lives will be implemented in the coming time.

The Ambassador proposed the establishment of three teams for the relief effort. The first team would consist of Vietnamese volunteers working in the earthquake area, identifying areas with Vietnamese people affected and gathering information on local needs. By supporting the connection between the Vietnamese Embassy and local authorities, the team would be able to receive and distribute relief goods more effectively, as well as support volunteer groups from other places.

The second group, with the participation of the federation, associations, embassies and consulates general, is responsible for coordinating, ensuring smooth information flow and effective relief. The third group, including leaders of Vietnamese associations and local associations, focuses on mobilizing resources for relief.

Mr. Phan Tien Hoang, First Secretary and Head of the Labor Management Board of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, said that many Vietnamese workers have received support from local authorities and from fellow countrymen’s associations. For those in difficult situations, the Labor Management Board will help them find refuge, find new jobs and soon stabilize their lives.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Son, Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Japan, said that Ishikawa Prefecture has more than 5,000 Vietnamese people, of whom about 600 are working in companies and factories in the Noto Peninsula. This is the area most severely damaged by the earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture, especially the localities of Wajima, Nanao and Suzu. The Ishikawa Prefecture government's report said that there have been no casualties among the Vietnamese community there.

A series of earthquakes occurred on the afternoon of January 1 in Ishikawa Prefecture and some neighboring areas, causing tsunamis, causing serious damage to property and people. The Japan Self-Defense Forces have increased the number of personnel mobilized to the disaster area by 400, bringing the total number of mobilized personnel to 5,400.

Thanh Danh (According to VNA )