State Ovadacariya Shwegyin Nikaya Chairman Ganidhipati 16th Shwegyin Sangharaja Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academies and Sitagu Hospitals Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru Abhidhaja Aggamaha Saddhammajotika Mahadhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara Sitagu Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara and well-wishers donated cash to the funds for rescue, relief and rehabilitation in the flood-hit areas triggered by Typhoon Yagi, at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
At the ceremony, a disciple on behalf of Sitagu Sayadaw presented US$10,000 to State Administration Council Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, who, in the capacity of the National Disaster Management Committee Chairman, returned a certificate of appreciation.
The Vice-Senior General accepted K100 million donated by Kun Kho Ya Co Ltd and presented a certificate of appreciation to the company.
The Vice-Senior General and union ministers offered alms to the Sayadaw.
A video clip on documentaries on donations to flood-stricken monasteries and nunneries was presented.
On the occasion, the Vice-Senior General said that heavy rains and flash floods triggered by Typhoon Yagi occurred in 54 townships of nine regions and states, flooding buildings and schools. More than 140,000 people experienced the impacts of flash floods, leaving 419 people dead, according to this morning’s data. The flood destroyed 253 schools and 926 roads and bridges, in addition to lamp-posts and telecom towers, as well as more than 750,000 acres of paddy plantations and killing more than 100,000 animals.
The Vice-Senior General supplicated that the government allocated K30 billion for relief and rehabilitation measures for flood-affected people and regions. On 21 September, well-wishers donated K32.2 billion for the project. The allotted funds will be spent on rehabilitation measures in the disaster-affected areas as soon as possible, whereas schools will be reopened as quickly as possible in October.
He added that, so far, the government has managed the dredging of 91 out of 106 ancient lakes affected by cyclone Mocha in the Bagan Ancient Cultural Heritage Zone, with 28 lakes in completion of dredging and nine lakes under dredging. A total of 47 lakes are being preserved with the public contributions.
Apart from minor damage at 11 religious edifices in Bagan, other religious monuments were free from the impacts of Typhoon Yagi.
He thanked the Sayadaw and Kun Kho Ya Co for their donations to flood-impacted areas and people.
Sitagu Sayadaw delivered a sermon dedicated to all donations for the sake of the people who lost lives in the recent natural disasters triggered by Typhoon Yagi, and then shared the merits gained.
MNA/TTA
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