MSME businesses in Sagaing, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw must be quickly repaired and collectively assisted to resume operations.
The National Disaster Management Committee held meeting 4/2025 at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon, attended by Chairman of the Management Committee, Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win.
Speaking at the meeting, the Vice-Senior General said that due to the Mandalay earthquake, the reported damages and losses so far include 3,739 deaths, 5,104 injuries, and 67 missing persons. In addition, over 63,000 residential buildings, as well as numerous schools, pagodas, stupas, roads, and bridges, have been damaged or destroyed.
A total of 19 countries provided 2,472 tonnes of relief supplies and medicines from 19 countries using 100 aircraft, eight ships, and two vehicles.
Up to now, well-wishers at home and abroad have donated more than K144 billion. Moreover, well-wishers abroad donated US$5.1 million, Korean won 5 million, Indian rupees 16 million, Thai baht 2 million, Singaporean dollar 3,150, Chinese yuan 700, Sri Lankan rupees 250,000, Nepali rupees 37,000, Bangladeshi taka 3,160, Vietnamese dong 979,000, Indonesian rupees 20,000, Cambodian riel 716,500, Laos kip more than 1.7 million and Russian rouble more than 263,000.
According to the guidance of the Prime Minister, instructions have been given – through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – to distribute commemorative honorary medals to organizations from various countries that participated in earthquake relief and rescue operations. Moreover, records of the relief and rescue efforts carried out by these countries will also be provided. Therefore, officials need to prepare the necessary arrangements for submission.
The Prime Minister has instructed that donations of money and materials from both international and domestic donors be distributed in a timely manner to the people in the earthquake-affected areas, depending on the donations received.
So far, a total of K264.656 billion has been spent. This expenditure includes providing three months’ worth of rice, cooking oil, salt, beans, and fermented fish paste for over 130,000 staff members and dependents from 45 ministries and departments; disbursing advance funds for the construction of temporary classrooms at damaged basic education and higher education schools; and allocating funds for the repair of staff housing, offices, and special buildings.
Moreover, the Prime Minister has provided a total of K20 billion this month to be used for emergency assistance funds for disaster-affected people; accommodation and food expenses within the camps for 35,922 Grade 12 students and 6,729 teachers who will be re-sitting the matriculation exams in one state and three regions where exam papers were destroyed by fire; costs for replenishing writing materials; and travel and lodging expenses for senior teachers who will be coming from afar to teach specialized subjects.
Based on the damage to the homes of people affected by the earthquake, the Department of Disaster Management has made calculations for support to be provided by the State. There are 39,603 residential homes, excluding staff housing. These homes are currently being assessed according to the level of damage, and support will be provided soon.
Among the damages to staff housing, a total of 449 staff households lost their homes and household belongings due to building collapses. Although Union Ministers from various ministries and donors have provided support, the State is also working to supply the daily essential household items that are regularly needed. According to records, these affected households include 605 staff members and 1,181 dependents, totalling 1,786 people.
As a request for assistance was made through the Embassy to the People’s Republic of China to obtain prefabricated houses and offices so that staff could live safely under shelter before the rainy season, a total of 500 prefabricated offices and 4,500 prefabricated houses have been received.
A total of 7.9 million gallons of diesel and 6 million gallons of gasoline were provided by the People’s Republic of China for use as needed during the earthquake disaster and reconstruction period. These have been systematically utilized and managed in transportation and reconstruction matters.
As for the damage, there are a total of 306 MSME businesses in the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, Sagaing Region, and Mandalay Region that have been affected. The damaged and lost businesses are being promptly rehabilitated, with step-by-step inspections and actions being carried out to enable the businesses to operate again. For the financial needs of business owners, connections will be made not only to the State Economic Promotion Funds or MSME funds but also to banks. It is requested that private banks collectively assist by providing loans to genuinely financially needy business owners at concessional interest rates.
All buildings to be reconstructed must be built to withstand up to an 8.0 magnitude on the Richter scale, including soil testing.
The National Disaster Management Centre along with the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology have to monitor and observe monthly natural disaster occurrences for the past 10 years.
During the continuous reconstruction period, efforts must be made to improve the original conditions to a better state. Although there will be obstacles and difficulties in carrying out such efforts, these must be overcome in the best possible way. Economically, MSME businesses play a crucial supportive role in the national economy. Therefore, the damages suffered by MSME businesses in Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, and the Nay Pyi Taw Council area must be quickly repaired and collectively assisted to resume operations as soon as possible.
Vice-Chairs of the management committee Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung and Dr Soe Win reported on taking security and rule of law measures, rehabilitation efforts in regions and states, construction and settlement of staff families at Prefabricated Houses and Offices, calculation of loss and damage, arrivals of aids from international community and distribution of relief supplies to the affected areas.
Chairman of the Buildings Renovation. Utilization and New Buildings Construction Supervisory Committee, Union Minister General Maung Maung Aye, reported on the opening of temporary offices, inspection of staff housing and dormitories, and special buildings.
Attendees at the meeting discussed repairing of buildings, resettlement of staff, distribution of aid to staff members, linkage for borrowing loans for MSME businesses, reoperation of cement plants and steel mills, disease control in affected areas, loss and damage to roads and bridges, the readiness of aircraft and helicopters of the Tatmadaw (Air) and rehabilitation process.
The meeting ended with a remark by the Vice-Senior General.
MNA/TTA
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