Vice Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win meets departmental personnel, town elders, relief teams and philanthropic organizations, visits local battalions in MraukU, Minpya and Kyaukphyu
NAY PYI TAW June 16
Chairman of the National Natural Disaster Management Committee Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, currently in Sittwe, and party today inspected progress of rehabilitation in MraukU, Minpya and Kyaukphyu, and separately met with departmental personnel, town elders, relief teams and philanthropic organizations at the meeting halls of the General Administration Departments.
First, chairmen of district/township administration bodies, townspeople and senior military officers tasked with supervising the ongoing rehabilitation work reported on loss and damaged caused by the storm and progress in rehabilitation work. The Vice-Senior General coordinated matters as necessary.
Speaking on the occasion, he said he was there to know the progress in rehabilitation tasks in the aftermath of cyclone Mocha and conditions for necessary assistance as directed by the Prime Minister. Natural disasters cannot be prevented but there can be preparedness to minimize loss and damage.
The cyclone was strong with a wind speed of 120 miles per hour. But it could be overcome through the State’s preparedness measures and public cooperation.
With the State budgets and local and international cash assistance, measures were taken to bring back the people to shelter as a first priority. For the second priority, preparations were made to open high school on 1 June as earlier announced. Students could start learning under the roof. For the schools that are still under repair, temporary buildings were arranged.
Thirdly, hospitals and clinics were repaired and they are now providing regular healthcare services.
MraukU is a historically valuable ancient city, so repair is necessary to keep it in the original style. Meanwhile, the effort to receive recognition from UNESCO for its global heritage site must continue as well. By doing so, it will attract local and foreign visitors for tourism boosting, thereby contributing to the regional economy.
Production and services were affected in the towns hardest hit by the storm. Therefore, those with less damage should raise their capacity. Then, they will be able to meet the needs of foodstuffs, consumer goods and general goods in the townships suffering economic decline. This will also help the townships with greater damage improve their GDP that has decreased due to the storm. Providing fish, meat, eggs, vegetables and other foodstuffs within the state will reduce high costs of transporting them from other regions. Thus, regionally high commodity prices can be reduced. The MSME central committee and work committee have directed ways and opportunities to seek loans in accord with the rules and regulations of the State for business expansion. The increased GDP in Rakhine State will improve per capita income, thereby increasing demand, production capacity and availability of raw materials. This is why the fish and meat sector and farming must be promoted with momentum, which are the main businesses of the region during the rehabilitation period.
In this regard, unity and cooperation are crucial. In line with the motto “The strength of a nation lies within,” responsible departments, philanthropic organization and local people will see significant progress in all the townships including Sittwe within a month through their cooperation. Any natural disaster or danger can be overcome through unity. As the saying goes by “Unity will achieve success”, the government, charity organizations and the people need to continue and speed up their cooperation, said the Vice-Senior General. He then presented foodstuffs to the departmental staff, relief teams and philanthropic teams.
Afterwards, the Vice-Senior General and party visited the monasteries in MraukU, Minpya and Kyaukphyu where they paid homage and offered rice and alms to members of the Sangha.
Then, the Vice-Senior General and party visited the people’s hospitals in those townships. He viewed the repair of the damaged buildings. Then, he comforted the monks and local people receiving hospital treatment and provided foodstuffs.
The Vice-Senior General and party visited the high schools in Minpya, met with the students and teachers and attended to the needs.
Later, the Vice-Senior General and party inspected the local military and police battalions in MraukU, Minpya, Kanni, Sittaw and Kyaukphyu. After meeting with the officers, other ranks and police members and thier families, the Vice-Senior General provided foodstuffs, seasonal vegetable seeds and cash awards.
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