Senior General Min Aung Hlaing pledged, “We will provide cash assistance for the totally damaged buildings, damaged huts, partially damaged houses and huts, one-storey houses and two-storey houses as much as possible.”

Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, yesterday morning, met people at the flood relief camp of Mingala Byuha Sasana Beikman in Pyinmana Township and presented relief supplies to them.

At the meeting, the Senior General expressed his sadness for the loss and damage of life and property of the people in a natural disaster. Although natural disasters cannot be avoided, preparedness can be taken against natural disasters with rescue and relief measures to be able to return to normalcy.

He pledged that the government would lead the process of rehabilitation measures in the areas affected by damage and loss.

He explained that officials are striving to improve the damaged road transport facilities to residential areas, and he said that he has ordered all to carry out rehabilitation tasks to return to normality within six months.

The Senior General stressed the need to grow all sown acreage of summer crops and add new plantations in the damaged monsoon crops.

Moreover, he guaranteed that the government would help livestock breeding farmers to re-operate their farms as much as possible.

The Senior General continued, “Natural disaster cannot be evaded. Actually, I am sorrowful to hear that. These losses and damage comprise the property of the State as well as yours. The government lost roads, bridges, buildings, factories, electric power supply facilities, communication and so on. You all faced the loss of property. This being so, I asked what you took along with you? Some of them replied they fled away only with the clothes they were in. Some people took something. Some people took nothing except a basket. In an outbreak of natural disasters, people were so worried that they didn’t know what to do. They fled with whatever they could grab. Just a thing, they all come along with their children. I knew some children were lost in flooding in other regions. I am sorrowful for it. We will help you to return to normalcy as much as we can. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement issued compensation for deaths as well as cash assistance for the injured to receive medical treatments. We are calculate ing the value of damaged buildings. We will provide cash assistance for the totally damaged buildings, damaged huts, partially damaged houses and huts, one-storey houses and two-storey houses as much as possible. We are thinking of doing what is suitable for the regions. With regard to the schools, we are trying to reopen them by the end of September. If these schools are closed for various reasons, students will be allowed to attend schools on Saturday and Sunday as a substitute. After Thadingyut month, holidays will be on Saturday and Sunday. During the Buddhist Lent, Sunday will be a holiday. If so, students may be allowed to attend school on weekends. But we will arrange the examination according to the number of chapters that have been taught. So, we have arranged for students to attend schools closed in disaster during the remaining time. So, I would like to urge you all to ask your children to go to school. If they are educated, it will contribute a lot to their future. If not, they will face difficulties in future. We are no longer to learn. Now, we are standing in the current situation. We must make our children get better than us and their era better than ours. Only then, we will be perfect parents.”

In giving the word of encouraging the flood-affected people to overcome the challenges of natural disasters, the Senior General said: “I really know your sufferings at present. I am sorrowful for it. The State will provide you all with what you need as much as possi ble. Floods broke out not only in Myanmar but also in Asia and Europe. It is a nature. Hence, we have to endure these challenges with the endeavours, perseverance and diligence of the people. So, I urge everyone to continue their relentless efforts. You all have to unite your strength. If you arrive back your natives, we will provide food and accommodation for you. We will not send back you irresponsibly.”

The Senior General presented cash assistance and food supplies to flood-affected people through representatives.

The SAC Joint Secretary, Union ministers for Health and Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chair and senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief also presented relief supplies and foodstuffs to the flood-affected people respectively.

On behalf of those people, a representative spoke words of thanks.

The Senior General inspected the functions of the clinic opened by the Ministry of Health for the flood-affected people and gave necessary instructions to officials.

Moreover, the Senior General met officials at Mingala Byuha Sasana Beikman and stressed the need to compile the data on loss and damage in natural disasters as quickly as possible.

It is necessary to provide cash assistance for loss and damage. The government, regions, states, and relevant ministries have to present cash assistance for those who lost their lives.

The Senior General noted that supervisory committees must be formed to scrutinize the donated items to prevent unacceptable events such as food poisoning of those people.

The Senior General then cordially greeted the people from the relief camp.

MNA/TTA

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