Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing Holds Emergency Meeting on Natural Disaster Management

The Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing held the Emergency Meeting on Natural Disaster Management at the assembly hall of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief on 14 May, in order to assign the duties of emergency management, response, rescue and cooperation, readiness with grouping and rehabilitation during and after a storm as cyclonic storm Mocha may enter Myanmar.

During the meeting, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Moe Aung, Union Ministers and officials presented reports as follows:

• The situation of cyclonic storm Mocha towards Myanmar and impacts of the storm along its route.
• The collection of reserve rice in advance to be sent to the storm-hit areas, collection of rations such as foodstuffs and personal goods, and preparations of medicines and medical corps by the Tatmadaw.
• The preparations of military aircraft and helicopters to transport necessary supplies to storm-hit areas in time, and formation of 10 groups comprising emergency rescue equipment to be applied in the relocation measures in the storm-affected areas, members from medical corps, military engineers and information officials.
• The collection of emergency and military bailey bridges, sending of helipads for emergency landing of helicopters, water purifiers and generations.
• The releasing of storm news and storm warnings in time through backpacking satellite communication system.
• The broadcasting of storm news on TV and through radio as well as on website on order that the public are aware of the storm.
• The cooperation with international organziations to perform rescue and relief measures in the disaster-hit areas.

After hearing the reports, the SAC Chairman Prime Minister said as follows:

• Storm warnings were issued in advance in recent days. Likewise, necessary preparations were carried out in advance.
• As disaster risks such as flooding and landslides could occur not only in coastal areas but inland areas, it needs to prepare for the relief and rescue operations in timely manner.
• Food supplies must be stored in advance and military aircraft, vessels and vehicles must be readied to transport them to storm-hit areas in time.
• It is necessary to be vehicle loading readiness as of today, and it should be proper aid packaging system to effectively distribute them in easy ways.
• Priority must be given to monasteries and schools in conducting the preparations in storm-affected areas.
• Protection programs must be set up to cause the least damagea to pagodas in Bagan ancient cultural zone.
• Medicines and medical corps must be ready for healthcare measures to residents in storm-affected areas as well as seagoing-hospital vessels must also be ready.
• The seagoing-hospital vessels must also carry emergency food aid and personal goods.
• Although aircraft and helicopters could not be used during the storm, it is necessary to make preparations on Sittwe Airport in order that aircraft could land at night time to deliver relief items from time to time after the storm.
• It is necessary to form two more emergency rescue vehicle teams and prepare in advance in order that relief items could be timely delivered to areas in need of them at the required time.
• It is necessary to release information on public awareness for disaster that flooding and landslides may occur not only in coastal areas but inland areas.
• It is necessary to disseminate storm news to all the people in various ways and means.
• Ministries of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement must cooperate with each other on time as well as with AHA Centre in doing the disaster management works.
• It is necessary to be the aircraft, vessels and vehicles ready to quickly and effectively deliver relief, rescue, food supplies and emergency items to the cyclone-hit areas.

It is necessary to give a helping hand to all Myanmar citizens without leaving anyone. The Senior General, himself keeping eyes on the situations of the storm, said that relief and rescue measures are being taking to overcome the dangers of storm with a minimum loss and damage, and fulfil the needs from time to time.

Source: MWD (15-5-2023)

• Food supplies must be stored in advance and military aircraft, vessels and vehicles must be readied to transport them to storm-hit areas in time.
• Medicines and medical corps must be ready for healthcare measures to residents in storm-affected areas as well as seagoing-hospital vessels must also be ready.
• It is necessary to make preparations on Sittwe Airport in order that aircraft could land at night time to deliver relief items from time to time after the storm.
• It is necessary to form two more emergency rescue vehicle teams and prepare in advance in order that relief items could be timely delivered to areas in need of them at the required time.
• It is necessary to disseminate storm news to all the people in various ways and means.
• It is necessary to be the aircraft, vessels and vehicles ready to quickly and effectively deliver relief, rescue, food supplies and emergency items to the cyclone-hit areas.
• It is necessary to give a helping hand to all Myanmar citizens without leaving anyone.
• The Senior General, keeping eyes on the situations of the storm himself, said that relief and rescue measures are being taking to overcome the dangers of storm with a minimum loss and damage, and fulfil the needs from time to time.