Tue, 05/06/2025 - 15:21
The earthquake that struck the Nay Pyi Taw Council area on 28 March and its aftershocks caused damage to roads, bridges and buildings. This resulted in the leaving deaths and injuries. International relief teams and local teams are currently carrying out search and rescue, health care and rehabilitation works in the relevant townships.
Starting yesterday morning, international relief teams, doctors and nurses, foreign firefighters, Tatmadaw members, staff and personnel from the Ministry of Health and the Directorate of Military Medical Services and social organizations have been divided into teams to conduct search and rescue work in the earthquake-hit townships in the Nay Pyi Taw Council area.
The international search and rescue teams visit townships in the Nay Pyi Taw Council area to educate and demonstrate emergency procedures to the public in the case of a natural disaster. Doctors and nurses use search and rescue dogs, assistance vehicles, and search and rescue equipment to search and rescue homes of earthquake-hit residents in the townships and wards, transferring the bodies to the relevant township hospitals, providing health care to the victims and helping them to strengthen their mental and physical health. In addition, local search and rescue teams, social organizations, medical personnel, and joint teams made tours to the earthquake-stricken townships and wards in the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area to search and rescue people by using search and rescue equipment, providing necessary health care to the injured and transporting them to nearby hospitals and clinics as soon as possible, They are also assisting in relocating the elderly to safe places.
Similarly, in the Nay Pyi Taw Council area, the staff housings in the townships were damaged by the earthquake. The staff families living in these houses are being quickly relocated to safe places and temporary residences with the plans of their respective Ministries by the help of military vehicles and military personnel. Arrangements are also being made to ensure that the staff can eat, and sleep, having purified drinking water and water for use in these places.
Since the earthquake also damaged the roads and bridges in the townships, officials are urgently conducting repairs using machinery to ensure that people can travel smoothly on the roads.
The townships in the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, lamp-posts and cables in various neighbourhoods were also damaged by the earthquake, causing power outages. The staff of the Ministry of Electric and Power launched day and night to restore power in time and most townships have now had power restored.
Similarly, donors, artists and regional/state-based organizations have also visited the temporary shelters of earthquake-affected staff and families in the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area by donating food, water, emergency supplies, clothing, and medicines. In addition, the Government has also provided temporary shelters, mobile water vehicles, and temporary water tanks to the victims.
International relief teams, doctors and nurses are arriving in Myanmar daily to carry out relief work in the earthquake-affected areas as carrying humanitarian aid and medicine. They are conducting in teams with local search and rescue teams to search, rescue and provide health care to victims.
MNA/MKKS
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 15:18
International humanitarian aid continues to arrive at Yangon International Airport for those affected by the recent earthquake in Myanmar. On 5 April 2023, a flight from the Singaporean Ministry of Health arrived, delivering 5,737 kilogrammes of medical supplies and hospital equipment for the affected regions.
On the same day, a flight from the Samaritans Purse International Relief, USA, brought 22,634 kilogrammes of medical supplies and equipment for setting up surgical rooms, along with 25 medical personnel, including surgeons and nurses.
At noon, an Air China Cargo flight carrying 87,390 kilogrammes of relief supplies including medicine chests, tarpaulins, tents and purified water bottles arrived from the People’s Republic of China.
Later, at around 5:50 pm, a Sri Lankan government-chartered flight arrived with medical supplies, water purification equipment and personal use items. The shipment also included 26 medical personnel, led by Brig-Gen Karunatilake Hewakattuge Punyasiri of the Sri Lankan Army.
These relief materials were transported by Tatmadaw members Yangon City Development Committee staff and local cargo workers, under the guidance of the Yangon Regional government, to be further distributed to the affected areas in Nay Pyi Taw.
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 15:14
International rescue and medical teams arrive daily at Nay Pyi Taw Tatmadaw Airport, according to their scheduled flights, as the government continues its rescue and relief operations in earthquake-impacted areas.
Yesterday saw the arrival of doctors and medical personnel from Thailand along with humanitarian relief supplies from Malaysia. In addition, 26 members of medical personnel from Sri Lanka arrived at Yangon International Airport yesterday afternoon and they left with five tonnes of aid for Nay Pyi Taw.
Officials from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the arriving teams at the airport. These teams are expected to promptly deploy to the earthquake-battered regions to provide rescue and medical assistance.
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 15:12
A team comprising artistes from the Myanmar Motion Pictures Organization donated instant noodles and energy drinks to quake-affected staff and their families at the staff housings of the Information and Public Relations Department in Danatheikdi Ward of Zabuthiri Township yesterday.
They also donated packs of instant noodles and energy drinks for affected staff families from Nay Pyi Taw Council at Zabuthiri Hall of Nay Pyi Taw Council Office where the Chair of Nay Py Taw Council and members accepted the donations.
Mr Duan, Chair of Myanmar SWAT International Security Group, and party also donated packs of meals, foodstuff and tissue papers to staff families in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area. They also donated 10 tents, purified drinking water, mosquito nets, soft drinks, foodstuffs and personal goods to the affected staff.
On 4 April, Patron of Ayeyawady Region Women’s Affairs Federation Daw Kyi Kyi Tun and party donated packs of meals, eggs and fried dried fish to staff from Nay Pyi Taw Council Office and staff housings, Sasanapala Myeik Monastery. They also donated rice and purified drinking water to staff from the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 15:09
Indian naval ship INS Gharial (L-23) arrived at MITT Terminal in Thilawa Port, Yangon yesterday morning carrying further humanitarian aid for the people affected by the recent earthquake in Myanmar.
The vessel transported a consignment of essential relief supplies and foodstuffs, intended to support both immediate rescue efforts and long-term rehabilitation. Upon arrival, senior officers from the Myanmar Navy, the Indian Defence Attaché and other officials warmly welcomed the ship. The Indian ambassador formally handed over the relief supplies to Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, who expressed gratitude on behalf of the Myanmar people. As a gesture of appreciation, the chief minister also presented a commemorative gift to the Indian delegation.
The ship brought in approximately 442 tonnes of aid including 405 tonnes of rice, 30 tonnes of cooking oil, five tonnes of biscuits, and two metric tonnes of instant noodles, along with other essential food items and medicines.
Personnel from the Myanmar Navy, the Indian naval crew, local administrative officials from Kyauktan Township, as well as members of the Fire Services Department and auxiliary forces, coordinated the unloading and repackaging of supplies onto designated vehicles. The aid will now be distributed to earthquake-affected regions under the supervision of the Yangon Region government.
MNA/KZL
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 15:09
The Yunnan Provincial Rescue and Medical Team has arrived in Myanmar, the Chinese Embassy announced.
A 37-member team arrived at Yangon International Airport on 29 March, and Ms. Cao Jing, Charge d’Affaire of the Chinese Embassy in Yangon, and U Soe Thein, Chief Minister of Yangon Region, welcomed them at the airport.
The team travelled late into the night and it is the first international rescue team to arrive within 18 hours of the earthquake. They were carrying a total of 112 sets of emergency relief equipment, including life detectors, earthquake early warning systems, portable satellites and drones.
At the request of the Myanmar government, the Chinese government has decided to provide 100 million yuan in emergency humanitarian aid and will send two relief teams to provide urgently needed supplies such as tents, blankets, emergency medical kits, food and drinking water racks to the affected areas. The first batch will be delivered on 31 March, and further assistance will follow according to Myanmar’s needs.
In line with the traditional China-Myanmar brotherly Paukphaw friendship and warm-hearted community spirit, the relief team will quickly go to Nay Pyi Taw to participate in the relief work, the Chinese embassy said.
Htun Htun/ZN
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 15:07
Myanma Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) offers free data, local calls, and MPT-to-MPT Short Message Service (SMS) for the second time, starting yesterday, to people in earthquake-affected areas, according to the MPT Yangon office.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, MPT is offering free data (1GB), 100 minutes of local calls, 700 minutes of MPT-to-MPT calls, and 700 SMS messages from 5 to 11 April to help residents in earthquake-affected regions stay connected with their families and friends, while also making donations and working to restore telephone service as quickly as possible.
Aung Than Oo/TH
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 15:04
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing underscored that emphasis must be placed on rehabilitation measures and necessary buildings must be built before monsoon with the assistance of the government.
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered a speech at the Union government meeting at the SAC Chairman Office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
Before the meeting, they observed a one-minute silence to pay respect and honour the victims in memory of the lives lost and the damages caused by the extremely strong earthquake on 28 March.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said that the deaths were caused by the destruction of buildings, and upon further review, it is clear that the lesson learned from the recent earthquake is one that cost many lives. With regard to earthquakes, it is essential to systematically design and construct buildings that can withstand earthquake damage, incorporating engineering aspects.
The Senior General noted that he is coordinating with foreign countries to ensure the necessary materials for food, personal hygiene items, necessary equipment for temporary shelters and temporary hospitals for the quake-affected people.
He added that the collapsed Sagaing Bridge is currently being repaired to allow trains to resume operation. Assistance will be provided by a foreign country. This bridge is crucial for the railway leading to Upper Myanmar, so it is necessary to make the necessary repairs for train operation.
Due to the damage caused by the earthquake, he highlighted that many buildings have been damaged, and most people are living outside these buildings. He said that he has directed the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement to provide all temporary shelters for use. Moreover, to prevent the spread of diseases, it is necessary to construct clean and healthy temporary latrines. Furthermore, essential medicines for disease prevention and treatment must be supplied.
The Senior General emphasized that it is necessary to take action to ease the emotional trauma of the people resulting from these events. As they lose parents, children, and relatives, officials need to comfort them to overcome the psychological impacts they have faced.
With regard to loss and damage, he noted that emphasis must be placed on rehabilitation measures and necessary buildings must be built before monsoon with the assistance of the government.
He spotted that the actions that have been prepared at this time will be able to save many lives in the future. Therefore, everyone is urged to prioritize and work towards the strong construction of buildings.
The Senior General unveiled that financial aid of K1 million per person will be provided for those who have lost their lives due to the earthquake. Regarding the damages to buildings, the government will offer assistance based on the extent of the destruction. Construction entrepreneurs are urged to ensure that there are no price hikes or unethical sales practices, and the regional and state governments are expected to enforce this in a fair and just manner.
Regarding the upcoming Thingyan festival, he noted that as it would not be appropriate to celebrate with the same excitement and noise as in previous years, everyone should observe the Thingyan period in a calm and peaceful manner nationwide.
Union Ministers, union-level dignitaries and chief ministers of regions and states reported on respective sectors. They discussed repairing communication channels as quickly as possible, the arrival of relief supplies and rescue teams from foreign countries, accommodation for staff from the damaged offices, arrangements for providing modular houses for those victims before monsoon, needs to reconstruct the damaged buildings, roads and bridges under the instructions of the committee, issuance of insurance compensation for damaged buildings, needs to compile an assessment report over the earthquake, broadcasting of information about rescue and relief measures in the affected areas through State-owned media, supply of electricity as usual, emergency healthcare services, supply of safe water for the people, checking damaged buildings with the use of modern equipment for identifying repairing and heavy construction for necessary buildings, quick distribution of relief supplies from foreign countries to relevant regions, and fulfilling basic needs of quake victims.
SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win said that rescue teams from 26 countries are working together with the rescue teams from Myanmar, and in carrying out these operations, the rescue teams must request prior authorization and cannot independently act without approval from the relevant authorities. They must collaborate with those responsible and work together according to a set policy. Moreover, regional and state chief ministers must ensure that the rescue teams arriving in their respective regions work in cooperation with the authorities in charge.
He continued that the act of providing and donating supplies without informing the relevant regional government authorities may lead to undesirable administrative issues, as it is carried out according to one’s own plan. Therefore, it is necessary to coordinate and collaborate with the responsible individuals in the relevant government bodies.
In his additional guidance, the Senior General stressed that it is necessary to quickly reopen all communication channels. Just as there are organizations that wish to provide real assistance to the affected regions with international aid, it is also possible that there could be incoming uncooperative activities under the pretext of the earthquake. Therefore, it will be essential to thoroughly check and accept these in an orderly manner. It will also be necessary to distribute the relief materials sent from international sources to those in need as quickly as possible.
He guided that the primary schools should be promptly prepared and reopened as soon as possible before the school opening season. If preparation is not possible in time, temporary school buildings should be constructed. It is essential to ensure that students can attend school, and preparations should be made in advance for this.
He emphasized that repairing roads and bridges must meet the criteria set in engineering science. Damaged staff housings will be rebuilt as new ones. In this regard, it is necessary to construct the building according to the specified standards.
Also present at the meeting were Council Secretary General Aung Lin Dwe, Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, council members, Union-level dignitaries and Union ministers.
After the meeting, the Senior General inspected damaged parts of the National Museum.
MNA/TTA
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 15:02
Natural disasters are not to tremble, but everyone must be aware of essential measures such as preparing based on reliable information and forecasts from relevant authorities, taking proper shelter, conducting timely search and rescue operations, and ensuring effective relief and rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of incidents.
At 12:51:02 pm on 28 March, a very strong and regrettable earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 on the Richter Scale struck, centred at a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre was approximately 21 kilometres northeast of the Mandalay seismic station and about 20 kilometres northeast of Mandalay city, at coordinates 22.09° North Latitude and 96.23° East Longitude. Following the main quake, about three aftershocks were recorded.
A lot of buildings, including the old Sagaing Bridge across the Ayeyawady River, were damaged, leaving some casualties. Hospitals in the Mandalay and Sagaing Regions are full of patients who sustained injuries in the earthquakes as it was an unprecedented experience. These hospitals urgently need blood for patient care. Authorities have urged volunteers to donate blood to help save lives and treat the injured in time. Hence, people have to lend a helping hand to each other.
That is why the Information Team of the State Administration Council stated that the National Disaster Management Committee has declared a state of emergency in the earthquake-affected areas of Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Magway Region, northeastern Shan State, Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, and Bago Region.
The government has stated that it will promptly investigate the damages and losses in the affected areas and swiftly carry out relief and rescue operations. Necessary disaster relief and humanitarian assistance will be provided for the victims. The Disaster Management Committee will also continue to release timely updates as new information becomes available, according to the information team. The people have been urged to be mindful of potential rumours and to cooperate with the national government and local authorities in disaster relief and rescue operations.
Such an earthquake jolted not only parts of Myanmar but also some areas of China, Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh, and India. Hence, local and global donors need to provide necessary aid to earthquake victims of Myanmar to help rehabilitate their lives and ensure timely medical treatment for those affected. Only when everyone is united in conducting the search, rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts in a timely manner can they overcome the challenges posed by the powerful earthquake and aftershocks, ultimately creating a safe and stable environment for the people.
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Tue, 05/06/2025 - 15:01
As the Thai rescue team has completed its mission of conducting rescue operations in Myanmar, a ceremony to honour the Thai emergency rescue team took place at Zabuthiri Hall in Nay Pyi Taw Council Office yesterday morning, attended by Chairman of National Disaster Management Committee Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win.
They observe a minute of silence showing deepest sympathy and collective sorrow in remembrance of the lives lost and the damages caused by the severe earthquake.
At the ceremony, Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win spoke words of appreciation for the emergency rescue team of Thailand.
In his speech, the Vice-Senior General revealed that due to the earthquake, significant damage occurred in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Nay Pyi Taw. As of the present time, the records indicate that 3,455 people have died, 4,840 have been injured, and 214 are still missing.
He continued that the Thai search and rescue team comprising 55 members, five officials from the Thai Embassy and totalling 60 led by a Maj-Gen from the Office of the Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces along with 4.99 kilogrammes of supporting equipment arrived at Nay Pyi Taw International Airport within 36 hours after the earthquake. Moreover, two planes carrying 4,372 kilogrammes of foods and general materials arrived in Myanmar on 30 March, two more planes bringing foods and general materials weighing 22,400 kilogrammes on 1 April and 4,700 kilogrammes of foods and general materials on 3 April, totalling 36,462 kilogrammes of foods and general materials. Among 26 countries which provide aid to Myanmar, Thailand is a good neighbour which provided emergency aid for Myanmar within 36 hours after the incident. So, Myanmar was proud of the efforts of Thailand in the special record. The Vice-Senior General expressed his thanks to the Thai rescue team for rescuing the individuals trapped under the dangerous buildings with the use of modern machinery from 3 pm on 30 March to 4 am on 31 March in Nay Pyi Taw.
Moreover, he emphasized the Thai Maj-Gen and party comforted patients at Zabuthiri General Hospital and tried hard to conduct rescue operations at the collapsed buildings on 31 March. On the same day, they provided healthcare to 36 staff and families at buildings No 2386 and 2387. Their mobile clinic also gave treatment to 175 people at the Dhammayon in Yanaung Ward 1 of Pyinmana on 1 April and in Ward 6 of Lewe on 2 April. Moreover, they donated foods and cash to Paukmyaing Monastery and Jamay Mosque in Lewe and Buddha Rekkhita Monastery in Ward 3.
The Vice-Senior General recounted that they also provided food for families of Daw Nyo who died from Ward 6 of Lewe, healthcare to 84 villagers from Myaukmyaik Village in Tatkon Township, medical treatment to 156 people in Kyitaung Village and food to Muntegwin and Sibinthaya villages.
While rescue operations are being carried out in Myanmar at this time, he revealed that it is also reported that in Thailand, at 1:25 pm on 28 March, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck, causing the collapse of a construction site at the township audit office in the Bang Sue Township of Bangkok. In this incident, 11 workers have died, nine have been injured, and about 76 are still missing. Rescue operations are ongoing. The building collapse has also been reported as a shocking and alarming incident online.
He noted that although such events are occurring within Thailand at this time, Myanmar is deeply grateful for the assistance and rescue efforts of Thailand with compassion by the King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida, Prime Minister of Thailand Mrs Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Mr Maris Sangiampongsa, Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Gen Songwit Noonpackdee, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army Gen Pana Klaewblaudtuk, and Thai Ambassador to Myanmar Mongkol Visitstump. In particular, Myanmar extends special gratitude to the Thai government delegation, led by Prime Minister Mrs Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who sent emergency rescue assistance to Myanmar. Myanmar also wishes to express additional thanks to the Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army for their invaluable support.
Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung presented the commemorative medal to a representative of the Thai rescue team. Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Soe Win also gave commemorative gifts to the Thai rescue team.
Next, the Vice-Senior General served the Thai rescuers with food and cordially greeted them.
Search and Rescue Operations Standards (Assessment, Search & Rescue Level – ASR Level) comprises assessing the condition, location, and the potential for further hazards in the affected area (Wide Area Assessment), determining whether additional risks may occur at the level 1, measuring the information obtained from the Wide Area Assessment, identifying and assigning areas for search and rescue operations while ensuring safety measures for disaster risk management are followed at the level 2, prioritizing and rescuing injured individuals based on their condition, searching for and saving trapped patients, and performing life-saving operations at the level 3, ensuring all trapped individuals in collapsed or damaged buildings are accounted for by conducting a thorough search of the entire area using modern technology and equipment at the level 4 and prioritizing the final phase of search and rescue operations, which involves clearing debris, searching for survivors, and using vehicles/equipment to facilitate the removal and clearing of wreckage at the level 5.
The emergency rescue team of Thailand has completed their mission of search and rescue operations up to the search and rescue standard level 4 in the buildings they were assigned to. A new rescue team from Thailand will be arriving, which marks the transfer of responsibility. It has been reported that their duties have now concluded, and they are returning to Thailand.
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