NAY PYI TAW April 11
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, SAC members, union ministers, the Shan State chief minister, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Eastern Command commander and other members of the entourage, inspected damages caused by Mandalay earthquake in Inlay region this afternoon, gave words of encouragement to the victims there and attended to the needs.
The Senior General and party arrived at Kayla Village in Inchan Kayla village-tract, Shwe nyaung Township, by motor schooners and inquired about the destruction of homes in the village-tract. The Senior General made arrangements for repairing the leaning houses soonest by skilled local carpenters and workers and for dismantling and clearing the houses that must be rebuilt.
In his meeting with earthquake victims, the Senior General heard a report on injuries in Nyaungshwe Township, and destruction of religious buildings including pagodas, residential buildings, timber and corrugated tin sheet requirements for rebuilding homes, presented by the Shan State chief minister and Kalaw district commissioner. In response, the Senior General said participation of Ministry of Construction and Directorate of Military Engineers of the Office of Commander-in-Chief (Army) is required for the availability of skilled carpenters and labour for completion of the repair and reconstruction undertakings before the arrival of Monsoon. Post shoes must be used in erecting buildings and soil testing is also a requisite. The State will render assistance for fulfilling timber, corrugated tin sheets and cement demand for construction activities.
A stock of food for a month will be provided for every victim at present and a station hospital will be built for delivering healthcare services.
In his discussions on earthquake disasters and regional development undertakings, the Senior General said the recent earthquake is the second most powerful earthquake in Myanmar and it left a trail of losses and destruction. According to the list collected as of this morning, 3,675 were killed, 5,020 injured and 141 missing. Its death toll is high. The earthquake that brought death and destruction is a heartbreaking event in history. Every deceased person will be provided with Ks-1 million and financial assistance will also be provided for destroyed homes depending on their type and extent of destruction.
In fact, buildings must be erected with earthquake-resistant designs to withstand up to the magnitude 8 on the Richter scale, which is the highest degree of shock in Myanmar. Because of the failure to follow the rules, some buildings collapsed, causing death and destruction. Hence, a directive was issued that a newly erected building must have an earthquake-resistant power of at least magnitude 8 on the Richter scale. Maravijaya Buddha Image and Throne in Nay Pyi Taw did not suffer any damage at all and religious buildings faced only slight damages. The Image and Throne were free from damages as from the initial stage of the project, wind resistance, earth resistance, and natural disaster resistance were systematically calculated and engineering technology was applied. Preparations should be systematically made in construction undertakings to protect the posterity from future earthquakes.
International communities have been actively cooperating in rescue operations to assist the people affected by the earthquake, for which we express our gratitude. We are not engaged in political activities but are working for the nation’s welfare. In undertaking national reconstruction efforts, we must work together harmoniously, without distinction between hilly and lowland regions, to achieve our goals collectively.
The upcoming Myanmar traditional Thingyan Festival will be celebrated peacefully in accordance with our traditions. To prevent price hikes in food commodities, everyone must collaborate in promoting agricultural and livestock businesses. We must work together to ensure food security for the region and the nation and to improve living standards.
Regarding education, efforts are underway to urgently repair and reopen basic education schools damaged by the earthquake in time for the school opening. We must collectively ensure that all schoolaged children have access to education. To foster national spirit, discipline, and moral values in children, teachers and parents must guide them under proper supervision. We urge everyone to pave the right path for our children to become educated and to lead peaceful and prosperous lives.
Concerning reconstruction efforts, the state is doing its utmost to carry out these tasks. If local communities also cooperate, the reconstruction process will be completed as quickly as possible, as stated.
Subsequently, the Senior General distributed food supplies and financial assistance to the earthquake-affected people, which were received by the responsible officials.
Thereafter, the Senior General presented cash awards to the rescue teams involved in the relief operations.
Following this, the Senior General, along with the entourage, visited the Inle Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda to inspect the damage caused to religious structures due to the earthquake. The responsible officials provided detailed explanations. Based on their reports, instructions were given to urgently supply stones, sand, steel rods, and cement to ensure the longterm stability of the main chamber of the Inle Phaung Daw Oo Buddha Image. The foundation pillars of the monastery must be strengthened systematically and swiftly. Areas where retaining walls collapsed due to the earthquake should be repaired as soon as possible using sheet piles. The repair works must be completed before the annual Inle Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival and procession. Other necessary instructions were also provided.
Afterward, Senior General and his entourage offered flowers and water to the Inle Phaung Daw Oo Buddha Image. They also offered gold robes to the pagoda and paid their homage.
Subsequently, the Senior General donated collective funds for the comprehensive renovation of the Inle Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, which were received by the members of the pagoda’s board of trustees. He then signed the guestbook of the pagoda, paid homage, and toured the pagoda premises.
Following this, the Senior General presented cash awards to the members of the Myanmar Police Force and Fire Brigade engaged in the rescue operations.
