IN solidarity with the people of Myanmar, Bangladesh has swiftly responded to the earthquake-affected people of Myanmar. Two consignments of relief materials containing a total of 31.5 metric tonnes of relief materials including tents, food packets, medicines, and other essential supplies have been handed over to Myanmar already. On 30 March 2025, two Bangladesh Air Force/Army aircraft (C-130 and CASA) carrying the first consignment of the relief items landed at Yangon International Airport and on 1 April 2025, similar 03 aircraft carrying the second consignment of relief materials landed at the Nay Pyi Taw International Airport. Bangladeshi Ambassador to Myanmar Dr M Monwar Hossain handed over the relief materials to Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein in Yangon and to Ambassador at Large of Myanmar Foreign Ministry U Kyaw Tun at the Nay Pyi Taw Airport. It may be mentioned that a Bangladesh Navy Ship, carrying more than 111 metric tonnes of emergency relief items is set to arrive at Yangon on 11 April 2025.
Apart from the emergency humanitarian assistance, Bangladesh also sent a 55-member strong rescue and medical team to extend humanitarian assistance to the earthquake-impacted people of Myanmar. The 24-member Bangladesh Medical team on 2nd April established the Outpatient department, Medical Store, Pharmacy, and Minor Operation Theatre in Zabuthiri Hospital. This Hospital was badly damaged by the earthquake and was almost nonfunctional. With the Zabuthiri Hospital as the base hospital for the Bangladesh Medical Team, they also started their activities in the 1,000-bedded General Hospital and 100-bedded Lewe Hospital, Nay Pyi Taw.
The Bangladesh Engineer and Fire Service Team, side by side the medical team, and in coordination with the Myanmar Fire Services has rescued bodies from the destroyed building in Nay Pyi Taw. On 4 April the same team assessed the damaged Central Fire Service Station of Nay Pyi Taw and submitted a comprehensive written plan to the Myanmar Fire Service team and agreed to proceed with the work. Bangladesh Rescue Team is now rescuing important documents and items from a few damaged buildings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar. Patients, family members of the injured and deceased people, other local people, government officials and members of the Myanmar Cabinet expressed their deep gratitude for the important role played by the Bangladesh Medical & Rescue Team and Bangladesh as a whole. The Bangladesh team continues to put their highest efforts into supporting the affected people of Myanmar.
In addition to the Bangladesh Government’s humanitarian assistance, Bangladesh Community members in Myanmar handed over relief items including water, dry food, sanitary and a few other emergency items to more than 500 earthquake-affected families of Boneoe village, Mandalay. The assistance items were handed over directly to the affected people by an 11-member Bangladeshi Community Team. — GNLM
