Taking Refuge from Heat: Preparations for opening heat relief shelters

On April 1, Minbu Township in Magway Region recorded a maximum temperature of 43.0°C, making it the hottest city in the world rankings. Consequently, a coordination meeting to prepare for opening heat relief shelters was held in the morning of April 1st at the Pyinnya AlinYaung Private High School in Ward No. 3, Minbu Township.

During the meeting, 30 million kyats donated by the Acting President, along with oral dehydration salt and soft drinks, drinking water, and personal care items, provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement were handed over to responsible officials.

Preparations have been made for opening shelters at Pyinnya Alin Yaung Private High School, Aung Thukha Monastery and Mogok Vipassana Dhamma Yeiktha in Saku Town, and Sasana Beikman Minbu Township. The Saku People's Hospital also gets ready for providing emergency medical care for symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement has been operating four heat relief shelters in Magway, Chauk, Yenangyaung, and Natmauk Townships since March 16, 2026. At these shelters, they have been providing natural disaster awareness talks, distributing pamphlets, educating on dos and don'ts related to heat, and offering necessary supplies to those seeking refuge from the heat.