Disaster Risk Reduction: Commemoration ceremony held for International Day

A commemoration ceremony for the 2024 International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction took place at MICC (1) in Nay Pyi Taw on 13th October, with the theme “Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future”. 

Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice Senior General Soe Win in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee attended the ceremony and gave a speech.

In his speech, the Vice Senior General said that due to severe Typhoon Yagi in South China Sea in last September, a total of 9 regions and States in Myanmar experienced torrential rainfalls resulting devastating floods which affected almost 1 million of civilians, over 180,000 livestock animals and over 700,000 acres of farmlands while damaging roads, bridges, schools, electricity and telecommunication infrastructure.

With the concerted efforts of the government and public, necessary rescue measures were conducted in timely manners in flood hit areas. As of today, well-wishers and donors from home and abroad have donated over 52 billion kyat cash assistance for rescue measures and rehabilitation tasks in flood hit area. 

In addition to the regular provision by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, 1 million kyat cash assistance have been donated to each deceased flood victims’s families with the National Disaster Management Committee Fund and relevant region/state fund.

Also, cash assistance will be provided to the vicitms who lost their houses. In addition, the interest-free loans and low interest loans have been disbursed to the flood victims to restart their businesses. Roads and bridges restoration processes are also carried out continuously for uninterrupted public access.

The Vice Senior General highlighted that although Natural Disasters can’t be stopped, the loss and damages caused by them can be reduced through systematic disaster management. With the support of the local disaster management specialists, National Disaster Management Committee is working to draw Hazard Map and Risk Map.

Moreover, the recommendations of the post flood and land slide needs assessment will be integrated through 2015 Myittha River flood in Kalay Township. The Vice Senior General called for concerted efforts of the individual in disaster risk reduction process, building a resilience future by promoting the youth engagement.

Then, Vice Chairman 2 of the National Disaster Management Committee, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr. Soe Win clarified disaster management procedures. The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR, Mr. Karmal Kishore also sent a video message to the commemorative event.

This was followed by screening of a video clip featuring disaster risk reduction activities. Afterwards, the staff from the Department of Disaster Management performed a song titled “The Power of Youth Engagement in Overcoming Disasters”.

Then, the medals, honorary certificates and cash awards were presented to the winners of article painting and essay competitions, marking the 2024 International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction. After the ceremony, the Vice Senior General and party made a tour to commemorative photo galleries marking the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction.