Hpa-an, 15 March

The Fire Services Department conducted an earthquake drill in a monastery in Hwaynaung Village, Hpa-an in Kayin State this morning.

The purpose of the drill is to carry out rescue operations when natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and fires occur in the area, said U Kyaw Kyaw Aung, the commander of the district fire brigade. Firefighters, policemen, security personnel, members of the Myanmar Red Cross Society and volunteers were actively involved in the drill.

The event was held with the aim of widening the scope of local people to disseminate search and rescue operations in order to respond the natural disaster in an effective manner.—Sai Kyaw Wunna (IPRD)

Translated by Kyaw Htike Soe