03 July 

The National Volunteers Steering Unit held a videoconference with volunteers and members of civil society organizations assisting with COVID-19 measures in eastern and southern parts of Shan State yesterday. 

Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye, in his capacity as the steering unit’s chairman, first delivered an address to the volunteers who have received certificates of honour presented by the steering unit.

The Union Minister explained the reasons of issuing certificates to volunteers assisting in COVID-19 measures in each state and region. The Union Minister also called for volunteers who have not been included in the list to submit their names. He said the General Administration Department in each state and region collaborates with his ministry in implementing the COVID-19 measures in line with the rules of Ministry of Health and Sports.

The Union Minister said that while they are unable to give badges and recognition cards to each volunteer individually and have instead handed them over to the authorities in each relevant area. He said they organized this online meeting in order to meet each and every volunteer and are also focusing on discussing the challenges they face out in the field, possible solutions, and continued cooperation. He said it is an advantage to be able to host this online meeting with volunteers from far-off areas such as Monghsat, Linkay, Maukmai, Mongyawng and Mongpan. 

The volunteers then discussed the need of face masks for the returnees through borders, requirement of face masks and hand gel for students when schools reopen, having the awareness-raising campaign through IEC materials in ethnic languages, lack of food, drinking water and lavatory at quarantine centres, supplies for feminine hygiene products and disinfectant barrels, and giving priority to volunteers working in city or town gates.

The Union Minister coordinated the discussions and called on the volunteers to continue providing effective assistance while being careful of their personal safety. 

MNA (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)