Tatmadaw making utmost efforts in carrying out relief work with manpower and vehicle, equipment power

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing gives foodstuffs to flood victims at Ingapu town.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing gives words of encouragement to locals at Hinthada.

Nay Pyi Taw August 7

The Tatmadaw is utilizing the manpower and vehicle and equipment power it can spare for the flood relief mission to the most possible degree in carrying out rescue and relief work. It is also conducting health care activities with full momentum. Sadly, we are hearing certain social networks charging false accusations against the Tatmadaw’s relief efforts even though it is doing the job with sincere goodwill. Especially in a terrible weather or difficult terrain, Tatmadaw members have to carry out transportation and relief work at the risk of their lives. But there are reports and criticism from the negative point of view. They should understand that the Tatmadaw is carrying out relief work with its utmost efforts, said Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during his meeting with local people at Ingapu town hall this morning.

Accompanied by his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Thura Thet Swe, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Khin Aung Myint, senior military officials of the office of the Tatmadaw making utmost efforts in carrying out relief work with manpower and vehicle, equipment power Commander-in-Chief (Army), the Yangon command commander, inspected the arrival of aids at flood relief aid acceptance centre at Mingaladon Airbase HQ at 8 am today.

First, the Senior General cordially greeted Buddhist monks and towns people of Mudon, Mon State, presenting relief aids there, and inspected registration of the aids, loading of the relief aids on board aircraft, and storages. Systematic acceptance and storage of local and foreign relief aids by the committee, giving of priority to distribution based on the requirement of the flooded areas, utilization of enough  manpower in carrying the relief aids were urged.

The Senior General and party fl ew to Ingapu township, which is facing floods due to swollen Ayeyarwady river, in Ayeyarwady Region on board relief supply helicopters. They made aerial observation of the flood conditions. In Ingapu, they were welcomed by Region Chief Minister U Thein Aung, Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Lu Aye, region cabinet members, MPs and towns elders. 

At the Ingapu sports ground, the chief minister and the commander explained flood situation and relief efforts. The Senior General made arrangements on the transporting of draught animal by boats and mechanized military fiber boats to the Tatmadaw z-crafts that will sail them to safe places, and the quickest transportation of essential food items by Tatmadaw trucks from Yangon to the flood-hit areas.

At the meeting with Ingapu flood victims, town administrator and chief minister reported on floods, relief measures and food distribution. 

The Senior General said, not only Myanmar but many places in the world are also facing natural disasters due to climate change in this year. In the previous year also, the world had accepted the heat waves, the cold waves, droughts, floods, storms as the global change. So we need to make preparations for natural disaster prevention. And in times of disaster, all should withstand it with unity and solidarity. Animals are also suffering from floods apart from man. So we are moving the victims to a safe place for survival as first priority while providing them with food, clothing and shelter. Relief aid planners should distribute the aids as fairly as they can as the human needs become deeper in such emergency times.

Health care activities are being carried out to solve the follow-up health problems. People of the flooded areas should cook food properly. As soon as the floods recede arrangements will be made for cultivation of crops on the rice fields damaged by the floods in the region. The aids are just for solving the current food, clothing and shelter needs. Cooperative efforts must be made for rehabilitation works when the floods retreat.The Tatmadaw will provide physical, financial and transport assistance to all relief and rehabilitation undertakings to the best of its ability.

As the government has been taking relief measures in the whole nation, there can be weaknesses. So all should understand why there may be weaknesses in the rescue and relief efforts of the government and the Tatmadaw. As we are now carrying out rescue and relief works, it will be better for us if we can take preparatory measures yearly to overcome disasters. Dams built by the successive governments of the past are of vital importance in flood prevention. We must thank them and maintain the facilities. I wish all successfully overcome the difficulties through unyielding and self-made collective efforts for development of their own regions.

The Senior General presented relief aids and food provided by Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) families to the victims. Pyosithu company also made donations. After cordially greeting locals, the Senior General and party made a field tour of the flooded areas of the town.

On arrival at Hinthada in the afternoon, the Senior General and party were welcomed by township MP Pyithu Hluttaw Original Rights of the Citizens, Democracy and Human Rights Committee chairman U Htay Oo, offi cials and towns elders.

At the bund, the Senior General urged systematic reinforcing of the bund after hearing reports on buttress work. The Senior General and party gave words of encouragement to volunteers including Tatmadawmen reinforcing the bund, and presented cash and gifts.

They paid obeisance to Pyilonkat- kyaw U Pa Ye pagoda, offered flowers, water and lights and donated cash.

They comforted the locals at Kyakhan Pariyatti school and presented aids for the flood victims. Then they inspected the situation of floods.

They also comforted the victims in a dhammayon of the town, making arrangements for Tatmadaw medical teams to visit them.

During meeting with town elders and social organizations, U Htay Oo explained the conditions of floods. The Senior General gave words of encouragement to the locals, and presented K 50 million and relief aids donated by families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air). He then cordially greeted town elders and social organizations.

On arrival at Zalon Pyitawpyan Pagoda, the Senior General and party were welcomed by Region Planning and Commerce Minister U Hla Khaing and party. They paid obeisance to the pagoda and made donations. 

They surveyed the rising Ayeyarwady and made prevention arrangements with officials.

Because of the significantly high water levels of Ayeyarwady and Ngawon, townships in Pathein, Hinthada and Maubin districts were facing floods. A total of 34,257 victims of 9475 households are placed at 170 relief camps. Relif aids are being provided to them.

The Myawady Daily, Page(18)

#Themyawadydaily