A powerful earthquake and several aftershocks hit Myanmar on 28 March, causing damage to roads, bridges and buildings in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, and also resulting in causalities and injuries. The international rescue teams and local teams jointly conducted rescue work, healthcare services and rehabilitation in respective townships promptly yesterday.
The rescue teams, doctors and nurses from international countries, foreign fire brigade, Tatmadaw and combined corps, staff from the Ministry of Health and Directorate of Medical Services and social welfare organizations proceeded to quake-hit areas in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area and conducted rescue work yesterday.
The rescue team from Turkiye conducted educational programmes and demonstrations focusing on natural disasters for the members of the Fire Services Department and families and people in Bala Theikdhi Ward, Zabuthiri Township. The doctors and nurses are conducting search and rescue operations in the earthquake-affected staff housing areas using search and rescue dogs, support vehicles, and specialized equipment to aid in their efforts. The teams are also transferring the bodies of victims to the respective township hospitals, providing medical care to those injured, and offering both physical and psychological support to ensure the well-being of the affected individuals.
Regarding the rescue and relief operations, Ali Onur Ginsel, leader of GEA Search and Rescue said, “We felt sorry for the recent earthquake in Myanmar, which has caused loss of life and injuries among the people. We are a humanitarian organization, and our primary focus in Myanmar is search and rescue operations. Since our team includes engineers, we will also provide necessary support wherever needed. On the day we arrived in Myanmar, we were able to rescue two people who were trapped inside a collapsed building. Today, we are assessing and inspecting the structural condition of earthquake-damaged buildings. We sincerely wish for the safety and well-being of all the people of Myanmar and hope they can find secure shelter.”
Moreover, local rescue teams, altruistic teams, medics and combined teams also went to quake-affected areas and conducted search and rescue operations using special equipment to assist the affected residents. They are also providing necessary medical care to the injured using mobile medical units and ensuring their swift transfer to the nearest hospitals and clinics. The elderly were also moved to safe and secure locations.
Similarly, the roads and bridges in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area were also destroyed due to the earthquake, and the officials launched repair work on them to facilitate transport flow.
Due to the earthquake, lamp-posts and power lines in various townships and wards within the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area were damaged and collapsed, leading to power outages. The staff from the Ministry of Electric Power have been working tirelessly, day and night, to restore electricity. As of 2 April, approximately 74 per cent of the restoration work has been completed.
The well-wishers and organizations donated foodstuffs, water bottles, cash, clothes and medicines, and the government also arranged temporary tents, mobile water tankers, and temporary water tanks, and mobile trucks selling groceries at cheap prices for quake-hit locals and staff in Nay Pyi Taw.
Similarly, the artistes and well-wishers together with Bo Bo Entertainment Co Ltd met with the quake-affected staff of the Ministry of Information and Information and Public Relations Department and their families yesterday, comforted them and presented foodstuffs.
The rescue teams, medics and nurses from international countries arrived in Myanmar with humanitarian assistance and medicines for rescue work, and as of 3 April, the rescue teams from China, India, Russia, Singapore, AHA Centre, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Laos, Belarus, Turkiye, Bhutan, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, Japan’s Nippon Foundation and Indonesia arrived in Myanmar. They actively participate in search and health services by cooperating with local rescue teams. — MNA/KTZH
