THE Fire Services Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that commendation certificates have been awarded to 200 charitable organizations, including auxiliary fire units, in recognition of their dedicated efforts in search and rescue operations during the Mandalay earthquake.
The certificates were presented by the Director-General of the Fire Services Department to auxiliary fire stations and social welfare and charitable organizations that worked tirelessly during the powerful Mandalay earthquake, which struck on 28 March 2025.
Speaking on the occasion, Ko Aung Ye Htut, Chairman of the Aung Ye Htut Social Welfare Association, said, “Among those receiving the commendation certificates are six auxiliary fire brigades based in Yangon Region, more than 150 social welfare and charitable organizations, and over 40 charitable groups from Upper Myanmar. We are extremely delighted to receive this recognition. As this is the first commendation we have received throughout our years of charitable service, it feels as though our sense of responsibility has grown even greater”. At around 12:51 pm on 28 March 2025, a very strong earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, with its epicentre near Mandalay, struck the area, causing widespread damage across several regions and states nationwide. Residential buildings, religious structures, government buildings, as well as numerous roads and bridges, were damaged or destroyed, and there were many fatalities. — ASH/MKKS
