NAY PYI TAW September 18
Chairman of State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, union ministers, the Nay Pyi Taw council chair, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and officials, visited flood victims at Mingala Byuha Sasana Beikman relief camp in Pyinmana this morning and gave words of encouragement and presented aid.
In his words of encouragement, the Senior General said the present one is the largest among the rain-fed natural disasters that hit Myanmar all along history. He observed the floods from helicopter during the return trip from Bagan-NyaungU, and saw the view of mountain water driving away trees and logs. He looked around the vicinity of Tatkon and saw large-scale destruction caused by strong current of downhill water.
The Senior General expressed sadness over the loss of life and property. He said natural disaster cannot be avoided, but preparatory measures can be taken, and with collective efforts and zeal and perseverance, disaster-hit areas must be upgraded after restoring the situation through relief and rehabilitation activities.
Without being depressed, efforts should be made to restore the situation. The State will play a leader role in the rehabilitation of destroyed areas.
Officials are improving road transportation to reach damaged wards and villages. Guidance has already given to restore the situation within six months.
Likewise crops, especially rice, pulses and sesame fields and other crops were destroyed.
It will be difficult for farmers to grow rice after the floods recede. Anyhow, the State will provide assistance to the best of its ability for resuming agricultural undertakings. Efforts will be made to grow summer paddy as a replacement of the lost monsoon paddy fields. This year’s heavy rains had filled dams to the brim. So, summer paddy will get enough irrigation water.
As farmed animals were also killed, assistance will be provided to the most possible degree to restart farming activities.
Systematic farming ensures better benefits.
He said “A natural disaster cannot be avoided. I fell so sorry.
The belongings you lost are also the State’s losses. Roads, bridges, buildings, factories, power stations, communication facilities that were destroyed too are the losses of the State.
You also lost your property.
When I ask, “What could you salvage?” The answers were “Only the cloths I am wearing now.” “As possible as I could.”
“I could take together with me only the basket I always brought to the market daily.” “Nothing.”
“I was so excited and afraid that I had no idea what I was salvaging.” “Fortunately, I could bring my children.” The Senior General continued to say, “In some places, children were swept away by floods. I feel so sad. The government will help you all to reach the original situation again. Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is providing compensation for death. Medical aid is also given to the injured and the government is now calculating the value of destroyed houses.
It is calculating compensation for total loss, partial loss, total loss of a hut, normal house, one-storey house, two-storey house. The government will provide compensation to the most possible. The compensation program should be suitable to the relevant place. Efforts are being made to reopen schools at the end of this month. Schools that closed due various reasons must open on weekends after Thidingyt (festival of lights).
Before the Buddhist lent there will be classes on Sundays.
Children might have to attend classes at least on Sundays.
Examination questions will be based on the courses the students have learned. We made programs for the schools that were closed to open during the remaining period of the academic year. So, parents should send their children back to the school. Knowledge and education will be much beneficial for them in the future. It will be supportive of their life.
If not, they will face hardships one day. Adults are not fit to learn school education. We reap what we have sown. But we must support our children to excel us in the future. They must be more advanced than us.
It is the work of ideal parents.”
In speaking words of comfort to help flood victims overcome natural disasters relentlessly and about measures taken for rehabilitation tasks, the Senior General said, “I commiserate with flood victims for their troubles and I am sad for all.
The government will offer as much assistance as possible.
Not only our country and our Asia but also European countries have to face floods. They are caused by nature. As natural disasters occur in the entire world, I would like to say that we will be able to overcome problems by relentlessly facing them with the people’s will, perseverance, diligence and efforts. I would like to urge all to continue to strengthen ourselves with relentless perseverance and diligence. Strengthen yourselves here. When you go back to your homes, we will provide appropriate assistance for living and food. We will not let you go back home without any assistance. We will arrange everything for you.
Then, the Senior General presented cash assistance and foodstuffs for flood victims to their representatives.
Afterward, the joint secretary of the SAC, union ministers for Health and for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, the chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council and senior officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services presented relief items and foodstuffs for flood victims.
Then, the Senior General asked about the difficulties faced by flood victims and a representative of them said he wanted to express thanks for the visit of the head of state to provide assistance and to speak words of comfort to flood victims. He said he was thankful to hear the further measures to be carried out and everything, including living conditions, food and healthcare, is comfortable at the flood shelter thanks to arrangements of responsible officials.
Then, the Senior General and party inspected the healthcare clinic of the Ministry of Health for flood victims and gave necessary instructions on reports of the officials.
Afterward, the Senior General met with officials at the parlour of Mingalar Byuhar Sasana Beikman and said it is necessary to collect statistics for damage caused by the floods as soon as possible and to set amounts of assistance based on percentage of damage of dwelling including brick houses, wooden house and huts, which were completely or partially damaged. Similarly, cash assistance must be offered to the deaths caused by floods by the government, regions and states and respective ministries. Those who were injured will be offered assistance based on seriousness of their injuries. It is necessary to collect statistics and set amounts of cash assistance to provide flood victims as soon as possible and measures must be taken to provide assistance to the injured.
The government is thankful and glad to learn that well-wishers and organizations are offering assistance and food to flood victims as much as they can.
However, flood victims do not receive equal assistance due to travel distances and have to consume foodstuffs that should not be eaten together donated by different donors. They also suffer food poisoning due to lack of cleanliness in transporting foodstuffs. Therefore, it is necessary to form supervisory teams for donations in flood shelters. By doing so unnecessary problems can be prevented and it is necessary to explain the situation to wellwishers and donors.
Then, the Senior General cordially spoke words of comfort to flood victims in the shelter.
