It will also be necessary to distribute the relief materials sent from international sources to those in need as quickly as possible.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing underscored that emphasis must be placed on rehabilitation measures and necessary buildings must be built before monsoon with the assistance of the government.
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered a speech at the Union government meeting at the SAC Chairman Office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
Before the meeting, they observed a one-minute silence to pay respect and honour the victims in memory of the lives lost and the damages caused by the extremely strong earthquake on 28 March.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said that the deaths were caused by the destruction of buildings, and upon further review, it is clear that the lesson learned from the recent earthquake is one that cost many lives. With regard to earthquakes, it is essential to systematically design and construct buildings that can withstand earthquake damage, incorporating engineering aspects.
The Senior General noted that he is coordinating with foreign countries to ensure the necessary materials for food, personal hygiene items, necessary equipment for temporary shelters and temporary hospitals for the quake-affected people.
He added that the collapsed Sagaing Bridge is currently being repaired to allow trains to resume operation. Assistance will be provided by a foreign country. This bridge is crucial for the railway leading to Upper Myanmar, so it is necessary to make the necessary repairs for train operation.
Due to the damage caused by the earthquake, he highlighted that many buildings have been damaged, and most people are living outside these buildings. He said that he has directed the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement to provide all temporary shelters for use. Moreover, to prevent the spread of diseases, it is necessary to construct clean and healthy temporary latrines. Furthermore, essential medicines for disease prevention and treatment must be supplied.
The Senior General emphasized that it is necessary to take action to ease the emotional trauma of the people resulting from these events. As they lose parents, children, and relatives, officials need to comfort them to overcome the psychological impacts they have faced.
With regard to loss and damage, he noted that emphasis must be placed on rehabilitation measures and necessary buildings must be built before monsoon with the assistance of the government.
He spotted that the actions that have been prepared at this time will be able to save many lives in the future. Therefore, everyone is urged to prioritize and work towards the strong construction of buildings.
The Senior General unveiled that financial aid of K1 million per person will be provided for those who have lost their lives due to the earthquake. Regarding the damages to buildings, the government will offer assistance based on the extent of the destruction. Construction entrepreneurs are urged to ensure that there are no price hikes or unethical sales practices, and the regional and state governments are expected to enforce this in a fair and just manner.
Regarding the upcoming Thingyan festival, he noted that as it would not be appropriate to celebrate with the same excitement and noise as in previous years, everyone should observe the Thingyan period in a calm and peaceful manner nationwide.
Union Ministers, union-level dignitaries and chief ministers of regions and states reported on respective sectors. They discussed repairing communication channels as quickly as possible, the arrival of relief supplies and rescue teams from foreign countries, accommodation for staff from the damaged offices, arrangements for providing modular houses for those victims before monsoon, needs to reconstruct the damaged buildings, roads and bridges under the instructions of the committee, issuance of insurance compensation for damaged buildings, needs to compile an assessment report over the earthquake, broadcasting of information about rescue and relief measures in the affected areas through State-owned media, supply of electricity as usual, emergency healthcare services, supply of safe water for the people, checking damaged buildings with the use of modern equipment for identifying repairing and heavy construction for necessary buildings, quick distribution of relief supplies from foreign countries to relevant regions, and fulfilling basic needs of quake victims.
SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win said that rescue teams from 26 countries are working together with the rescue teams from Myanmar, and in carrying out these operations, the rescue teams must request prior authorization and cannot independently act without approval from the relevant authorities. They must collaborate with those responsible and work together according to a set policy. Moreover, regional and state chief ministers must ensure that the rescue teams arriving in their respective regions work in cooperation with the authorities in charge.
He continued that the act of providing and donating supplies without informing the relevant regional government authorities may lead to undesirable administrative issues, as it is carried out according to one’s own plan. Therefore, it is necessary to coordinate and collaborate with the responsible individuals in the relevant government bodies.
In his additional guidance, the Senior General stressed that it is necessary to quickly reopen all communication channels. Just as there are organizations that wish to provide real assistance to the affected regions with international aid, it is also possible that there could be incoming uncooperative activities under the pretext of the earthquake. Therefore, it will be essential to thoroughly check and accept these in an orderly manner. It will also be necessary to distribute the relief materials sent from international sources to those in need as quickly as possible.
He guided that the primary schools should be promptly prepared and reopened as soon as possible before the school opening season. If preparation is not possible in time, temporary school buildings should be constructed. It is essential to ensure that students can attend school, and preparations should be made in advance for this.
He emphasized that repairing roads and bridges must meet the criteria set in engineering science. Damaged staff housings will be rebuilt as new ones. In this regard, it is necessary to construct the building according to the specified standards.
Also present at the meeting were Council Secretary General Aung Lin Dwe, Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, council members, Union-level dignitaries and Union ministers.
After the meeting, the Senior General inspected damaged parts of the National Museum. — MNA/TTA
