NAY PYI TAW April 19
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met district level officials and local elders from Sagging at Athinkhaya Guesthouse in Sagging and those from Mandalay at the Mandalay Region government office at separate meetings and explained rehabilitation programs for earthquake affected areas.
Also present at the meetings were SAC members, union ministers, the Mandalay Region chief minister, the Sagging Region chief minister, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the commanders of Central and North-West commands.
At the meetings, the Senior General said the scope of damage and loss is high during the Mandalay earthquake. Amidst the damages, lessons were also learnt to reduce damages in the further natural disasters.
Although natural disasters cannot be avoided, measures can be taken to prevent them through thorough preparations.
The nation was able to overcome every natural disaster amidst the difficulties. The country faced natural disasters during cyclone Mocha and floods triggered by downpours in 2024, and it could carry out rescue and relief operations with collective efforts in time.
Soon after the earthquake, inspection tours were conducted in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area and provided effective means to make necessary preparations.
After evaluating the ground situation, the state of emergency was declared in earthquake-hit areas.
Video messages were sent to other countries at once, and thanks to the international assistance that arrived in Myanmar within a short time, some of the people trapped in the rubble could be rescued alive.
Because of the all-inclusive efforts the country has reached a certain stage of progress.
Among the earthquakes that jolted in Myanmar after 1900, the Mandalay earthquake is the second most severe one.
It destroyed pagodas, monasteries, residential buildings, roads and bridges. Sagging (Inwa) bridge was hit hard, and arrangements are underway to remove the collapsed steel frames before the arrival of Monsoon.
The bridge will be reconstructed.
The State will provide assistance in clearing collapsed buildings and reconstruction projects that will be carried out in Mandalay and Sagging.
It will distribute cement, iron nails and corrugated tin sheets at reasonable prices and will also present cash assistance at reasonable rates for damaged homes based on their type.
Inclusive participation is also required.
Town rehabilitation task calls for systematic town plans for their benefit. The government is also participating in the rehabilitation undertakings with sincere goodwill.
Town development plans must include modern roads and city blocks.
During reconstruction efforts, it is essential to construct buildings, roads, and bridges that can withstand earthquakes measuring up to magnitude 8 on the Richter scale—the strongest level ever recorded in the country.
All construction must adhere to proper engineering standards, with a particular emphasis on earthquake resistance from an engineering perspective.
The systematic construction efforts carried out today are for the benefit of future generations, and therefore must be approached with a long-term perspective.
Natural disasters are inevitable.
In the reconstruction of buildings damaged by such disasters, it is important to proceed with the spirit of not simply replacing old and damaged structures, but of rebuilding them to be better than before.
While carrying out earthquake recovery work, I would like to urge everyone to work together to improve the production of agricultural products and MSME products in their respective regions.
The development of local products will significantly contribute to the growth of the local economy.
To ensure sufficient water for agricultural activities, it is essential to implement solar-powered river water pumping stations.
I urge those in charge to encourage the public in their regions to understand the significance of agricultural activities and take proactive steps to promote them.
Greater progress must be made in carrying out reconstruction work related to the earthquake disaster.
Efforts must be focused on transforming the region into a Green City, a Clean City, and a Smart City.
Regional development can only be achieved when the region has an abundance of educated people, which is why ensuring access to education for all school-age children in the coming academic year is essential.
Libraries, educational programs, and extracurricular opportunities must be provided for those who are older and have not had the chance to attend school.
Arrangements are being made to rebuild schools damaged by the earthquake as quickly as possible.
He further stated that education can only be achieved when people are healthy, which is why the 200-bed General Hospital in Sagging will be upgraded to a 300-bed facility.
Similarly, the 700-year-old Sagging City Stadium will be upgraded into a high-standard facility with a grandstand.
Just as the state addresses the needs of the region, local residents must also contribute to ensuring long-term sustainability.
He emphasized that the people living in the community bear responsibility for its development, and therefore urged everyone to work together to improve their local area.
The Senior General then presented Ks-50 billion for the rehabilitation of Sagaing Region, which was received by the Region Chief Minister, and Ks- 60 billion for the rehabilitation of Mandalay Region, which was received by a senior figure in the city.
Afterward, the senior figures of the city expressed their gratitude to the Head of State for visiting their areas twice following the earthquake and for assisting in the relief and rehabilitation efforts.
In addition, the senior figures of the city expressed their special gratitude for the unexpected funds provided, which enabled faster and more effective rehabilitation work.
The discussion then focused on the need to renovate schools and acquire additional equipment to remove debris from buildings damaged by the earthquake.
In response, the Senior General took action to meet these needs.
After the meetings, it was reported that the Senior General warmly greeted the senior figures of the city and the attending officials.
