Myanmar evaluates earthquake-induced destruction, intends to aid 39,603 damaged dwellings
Headline: Myanmar to Aid 39,603 Homes Hit by Earthquake, Says Deputy PM
Moving forward, Myanmar's Disaster Management Committee (DMC) is set to offer aid to 39,603 homes devastated by the recent earthquake. This revelation stems from Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council and Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee, Vice Senior General Soe Win.
The Deputy Prime Minister shared that an inventory of earthquake recovery materials has been prepared, and they are speedily distributing these essentials to the afflicted locations.
As part of the relief and rehabilitation endeavors, the Myanmar government has pour additional funds into the DMC. By June 6, this amount totaled over 144 billion kyats from domestic donors and more than 5 million US dollars from foreign sources. The funds have been used for various purposes, including emergency assistance, construction of temporary buildings, and even staff and office repairs.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, aid packages consisting of rice, cooking oil, salt, beans, and fish paste have been provided to over 130,000 employees and their dependents from 45 ministries and organizations. Moreover, students impacted by the disaster will receive financial support for accommodation and living expenses. For teachers aiding these students, accommodation and food costs will also be covered.
As the state assesses the extent of damage to the 39,603 residential homes, assistance will be provided soon. Currently, there are 605 staff and 1,181 dependents living in these homes. To ensure a comprehensive response, the government is looking at addressing the need for regular household goods among the affected population as well.
There have been holdups in collecting lists due to a thorough process, prompting senior officials to investigate the issue further. In a proactive measure, the state has requested numerical support from the Embassy of China to provide prefabricated homes and offices to the employees before the impending rainy season. Already, 500 prefabricated offices and 4,500 prefabricated houses have been procured, with about two-thirds distributed. Furthermore, China has offered 7.9 million gallons of diesel and 6 million gallons of gasoline for use during the disaster and recovery period.
In attendance at the meeting were the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee, Vice Senior General Soe Win, representatives from the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, UNESCO, and various Myanmar ministries. Despite the grinding challenges, a sober determination to help those in need prevails.
Funding for Future Rice Exports and Travel Ban Updates
Moving on, there is news regarding the plan to export 3 million tonnes of rice and broken rice in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Meanwhile, the United States has reinstated its travel ban, barring citizens of 12 countries. Additionally, a cargo ship incident off the coast of Surin Islands caused significant damage to coral reefs and marine life.
Insights:
- International organizations and local groups have been actively involved in relief operations after the earthquake disaster.
- The regime has imposed restrictions on aid delivery, with concerns about the weaponization of relief efforts in Myanmar.
- As of May 4, 2025, over 6.3 million people in Myanmar's earthquake-affected areas needed humanitarian aid.
- Local activists have been leading grassroots relief efforts, despite challenges and at personal risk.
References:1. UNESCO supports Myanmar’s COVID-19 response (unesco.org)2. Myanmar: Aftershocks of humanitarian suffering (crisisgroup.org)3. UN appeals for $275 million to assist Myanmar earthquake affected population (ohchr.org)4. OCHA – Myanmar Country Factsheet (unocha.org)5. Myanmar’s Earthquake Response is Hindered by Political Considerations, Humanitarian Concerns (irinnews.org)
- The Myanmar government is planning to export 3 million tonnes of rice and broken rice in the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
- In international news, the United States has reinstated its travel ban, restricting entry for citizens of 12 countries.
- Regarding the earthquake disaster, despite the challenges and restrictions, local activists are leading grassroots relief efforts.
- Meanwhile, a cargo ship incident off the coast of Surin Islands has caused significant damage to coral reefs and marine life.
