SAC Vice Chairman Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win meets flood victims from Mon State, disaster management teams, departmental officials, provides relief supplies
NAY PYI TAW May 22
Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Chairman of the National Committee for Natural Disaster Management Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, accompanied by SAC member Dr Banyar Aung Moe, Union Minister for Health Dr Thet Khaing Win, Mon State Chief Minister U Zaw Lin Tun, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, Commander of South-East Command Maj-Gen Ko Ko Maung and officials, held a meeting with flood victims from the townships of Mawlamyine, Chaungzon, Thanphyuzayat, Thaton and Paung affected by floods caused by heavy rains since 20 May, members of Mon State Natural Disaster Management Committee and departmental officials at the state hall in Mawlamyine this afternoon.
First, the state chief minister reported on flood situations,evacuation of flood victims to relief camps, assistance being provided by the state government,local Tatmadaw members and social organizations, and loss and damage to the roads, bridges and buildings and progress in repair work, formation of disaster management teams and providing of healthcare for the flood victims.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Senior General said that in the depression that occurred on 20 May, the problems that arose within 24 hours could be solved thanks to the correct management of the state government, a good rehearsal and public cooperation. He said as instructed by the Prime Minister, he came there to witness the management of the state government over the natural disaster, attend to the needs and encourage the flood victims.
The National Committee for Natural Disaster Management is meeting with region and state management committees through video conferencing and coordinating matters relating to the requirements. Prior warnings with five different colours to better understand the danger of storm were issued.
The Vice-Senior General said he wanted to explain to the locals to take a greater notice although they have certain knowledge about this. Yellow stage was in the Bay of Bengal and a depression was forming in the Andaman Sea. It is a warning for fishermen to go out to sea. The orange level means that the storm is moving towards the coastal areas and local residents are required to be well aware of it when they receive information that the storm is moving towards their residence. The red level means that the storm will pass through the coastal areas within 24 hours and residents may face danger and are required to move to safe places. The grey level means that the storm is hitting the areas and residents are required to have moved to safe places. The green level means that the storm is losing its momentum and beginning to lost its strength before its disappearance and residents can return to their homes. It is necessary for responsible officials to launch awareness campaigns to enable the public to understand the colour indications of the risks of natural disasters. To tackle the impacts of natural disasters, the national level natural disaster management committee and regional and state natural disaster management committees were formed and necessary measures are being taken to reduce the impacts of natural disasters.
In doing so, measures are being taken based on experiences of the impacts of natural disasters such as Nargis Cyclone, Giri Cyclone, Tarle Earthquake and floods in Kale and Kalewa and the Nayrinzayar River and regional fire, flood and storm disasters. As natural disasters cannot be prevented, it can only be overcome by preparations, mock trials and cooperation.
After natural disasters, it is also necessary to be prepared to encounter the consequences.
For example, unusual high tides that are accompanied with storms and diseases that are caused by dirty water, which are encountered by not only our country but also by the entire world in various forms.
One of the causes of natural disasters, overexploitation of natural resources in developed and under developed countries.
Another reason is the excessive emission of carbon dioxide gas in developed and underdeveloped countries, which leads to extreme air pollution, which leads to various natural disasters, causes consequences of extreme weathers and climate change due to the destruction of ozone layers under the glasshouse effects, which causes global warming.
World powerful leaders are still discussing how to best overcome climate change. Therefore, it is impossible to prevent natural disasters and the best way to tackle them is preparations, protection, awareness raising, mock trials and implementing rehabilitation tasks properly after natural disasters in accordance with plans. Cooperation of management committees, the public and charities is the best way that will help overcome the impacts of natural disasters, which cannot be prevented and predicted.
Next, Chief Minister of Mon State U Zaw Lin Tun provided rice, construction materials and cash assistance for the victims of natural disaster, Dr Banyar Aung Moe, member of SAC, cash assistance for social organizations and members of the Fire Services Department and Red Cross Society.
Then, the Vice-Senior General presented rice, construction materials, cash assistance, and relief items for the natural disaster victims through officials.
On behalf of the victims, U Maung Win of Hsepalar Village, Chaungzon Township, thanked for the relief aid. Relief aid worth over Ks-40 million in total was provided to the victims of natural disaster in Mon State today.
Later, the Vice-Senior General expressed words of consolation when greeting the victims and inspected the preparation of rescue equipment including vehicles and machinery. Afterwards, the Vice-Senior General and party took an inspection tour of places in Mawlamyine by car.
Later, the Vice-Senior General inspected measures being taken at the confluence of Haungthayaw and Ataran rivers to reduce the flood at the sites on Phetkhin and Taungwaing streets and coordinated reports presented by officials and fulfilled their needs.