Disaster Management : Vice Senior General attends the Committee meeting

The National Disaster Management Committee held its meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on Friday, with an address by Committee Chairman State Administration Council Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win. 

The Vice-Senior General said  search and rescue operations have been completed in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, Bago Region, and Sagaing Region, and are progressing in Mandalay Region. As of 25 April, the earthquake has caused 3,763 deaths, 5,107 injuries, and 110 people reported missing.

A total of 2,095 emergency rescue personnel from 26 countries arrived via 147 aircraft, seven ships, and 23 vehicles, along with the provisions of over 3,800 tonnes of relief aid and rescue equipment. Moreover, international medical teams have set up temporary hospitals and clinics in Sagaing and Mandalay Regions, and the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area to provide emergency treatment and healthcare services. Well-wishers also made cash donations for rehabilitation measures.

Up to 24 April, internal and international well-wishers donated more than 115.876 billion kyat, more than 2.437 million US dollar, 5 million Korean won, 15 million Indian rupees, two million baht and 3,150 Singapore dollar. These cash donations have been inserted into the accounts of the National Disaster Management Committee, and the fund is being spent on rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations systematically.

He added that the Head of State also provided 50 billion kyat for Sagaing Region and 60 billion kyat for Mandalay Region as well as 10 billion kyat for Nay Pyi Taw Council Area and 5 billion kyat for Shan State. These funds were provided to ensure the swift removal of damages and losses to carry out the reconstruction efforts in the earthquake-affected areas.

According to the preliminary reports as of 24 April, more than 63,000 residential homes, over 6,700 schools, more than 5,000 monasteries and nunneries, 5,342 pagodas, 613 other religious buildings, 370 hospitals/clinics, as well as some roads, bridges, dams, and reservoirs have been damaged or destroyed in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area and 10 regions and states. 

According to figures from the Disaster Management Committee as of 23 April, over 128,000 households and more than 629,000 individuals were affected by the earthquake. There were 135 rescue camps sheltering more than 48,000 individuals, while oner 159,000 people relocated according to their own arrangements. 

In addition, over 421,000 people continued to stay in their homes despite being affected by the earthquake, as their residences were still livable. Plans are being made to distribute financial assistance to each household based on average calculations. 

Regarding staff housing, colour-coded levels have been designated for the damaged staff apartment buildings. For temporary accommodation, bashas and modular houses are currently being constructed. The Vice Senior General stressed that buildings currently under construction should be designed and constructed to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 8 on the Richter scale.

The government has permitted the importation of construction materials and other necessary items. He added that in the  international context, early recovery activities are typically carried out throughout six to 12 months, medium-term recovery activities from one to two years, and long-term recovery efforts from two to five years, and if necessary, up to 10 years. 

The Vice Senior General stressed that Myanmar will be able to successfully carry out effective recovery and reconstruction operations depending on resources. Attendees discussed requirements to assess the change of ground due to the earthquake, the release of information about the earthquake to the people through the State-owned media, repairs of damaged dams and reservoirs, the readiness of aircraft and helicopters of the Tatmadaw (Air) for conducting rescue and transport services on time and progress of rehabilitation.