The Deputy Minister first inspected the damaged pagodas in Sisongon Village, Padauk Chaung village-tract, and handed over donations to the presiding monk.

They then headed to Laungshay Village in KhinU Township and also inspected the damaged pagodas before meeting with local residents. The Deputy Minister instructed on proper procedures to follow when an earthquake strikes, explained the government’s endeavours on disaster management, and distributed earthquake awareness brochures.

Next, the Deputy Minister inspected the cracked walls of Sisonlay Village’s middle school and arranged for the temporary classroom to receive adequate roofing.

From there, they went to Mankyeetaw Village (South) and Mankyeetaw Village (North) in YeU Township to inspect the diamond buds broken off from the local pagodas and handed over donations to the presiding monk.

The Deputy Minister then met with local authorities at the township general administration department’s office. He said the Union Government and regional cabinet are planning to support the losses sustained from the earthquake.

The quake measured 6 on the Richter Scale and caused no deaths nor loss of homes with only minor damage incurred, said Deputy Minister U Soe Aung. He said the damaged pagodas and religious buildings can be quickly restored if the local authorities and people worked together.

This was followed by the regional Hluttaw representative, Shwebo District Administrator and administrators of Shwebo, KhinU and YeU townships explaining the losses incurred and committee formations planned to respond to the incident.

Afterwards, the Deputy Minister handed over K3,300,000 from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement to aid in restoration efforts to the respective township administrators. — MNA
(Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)