15 August

VICE President U Henry Van Thio presided over a meeting yesterday to review the findings during his tours to the disaster-affected areas from 10 to 12 August.

The meeting was held at the Emergency Management Center in the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement in Nay Pyi Taw.

At the meeting, U Henry Van Thio, in his capacity as the Chairman of National Disaster Management Committee, invited discussions about the ongoing situation of floods and landslides, damages and rehabilitation works.

Since the last week of June, floods occurred in 12 states/ regions, and the disasters are still taking places in Bago, Mon, Kayin and Thaninthayi, with the remaining 166 rescue camps for 79,389 victims up to 13rd August.

The flash floods this year occurred after heavy rains and rising river waters. The incidents began in the upper Myanmar regions, and continued to central Myanmar before reaching lower Myanmar. The states and regional governments took preventive and emergency response measures with the help of ministries.

However, the landslides after torrential rains caused deaths and injuries in Yebyagone village of Thal Byu Gone village-tract of Paung Township in Mon State. Some infrastructural damages happened in Mon, Kayin and Thaninthayi. The incidents have pointed out the need for making advance preparations for the possible landslides, in addition to road damages, due to floods.

He also called for data collections ahead of rehabilitation works, and seeking the assistance from local and international organizations, as well as from the private donors.

The Vice President also invited the attendees to present new and better ideas in emergency responses and rehabilitation works based on previous experiences.

He also suggested to investigate the recent landslide at Malatt Mountain in Paung Township of Mon State, and to identify preventive measures for future cases with the cooperation of experts and contributions of technical and financial assistance as it was necessary to prevent loss of lives.

A total of 65 bodies have been found up to 9 pm on 13 August, and the geologists from the Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department are providing technical assistance in conducting surveys at the six places and landslide-prone areas by using modern equipment beginning 13 August morning.

U Henry Van Thio also sought advice in preparing for rehabilitation works, collaboration, rehearsals for unexpected natural disasters and educational programmes for public.

Then, Union Minister Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe, the Committee’s Vice Chairman, explained about the collaboration in search and rescue works.

Union Minster Dr Win Myat Aye, the Committee’s alternate Vice Chairman, presented about raising and using funds, emergency responses and the future plans.

Then, the suggestions were made by the members of committee Union Ministers Lt-Gen Sein Win, Lt-Gen Ye Aung, Dr Pe Myint, Dr Aung Thu, U Than Sin Maung, Dr Myo Thein Gyi, Dr Myint Htwe, U Soe Win, U Han Zaw and U Kyaw Tin; Deputy Ministers U Tin Myint, U Kyaw Myo, Dr Tun Naing, U Kyaw Linn and U Soe Aung; Permanent Secretary Professor Dr Thet Khaing Win; Directors-General U Myat Thu and U Kyaw Myint Hlaing; Geologist U Yu Maung.

In his concluding remarks, the Vice President reminded that the responsible persons need to prioritize on safety measures in rescues and surveys, to conduct educative programmes effectively for the public, to hold rehearsals for less devastations and to implement all the 12 tasks of the natural disaster working committee.

After the meeting, Vice President U Henry Van Thio inspected the operations of Emergency Management Center.—MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)