ASEAN joins hands to overcome the consequences of earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand

Several ASEAN countries have announced that they have or plan to send humanitarian aid and rescue teams to Myanmar to participate in search and rescue operations. (Source: Reuters)

The Conference was attended by Foreign Ministers and representatives of ASEAN member countries, the Foreign Minister of Timor Leste, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the Executive Director of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre).

Authorized by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet, Head of ASEAN-Vietnam SOM, attended the Conference.

The conference heard the Foreign Ministers of Thailand and Myanmar update information on the damage after the earthquake. In Myanmar alone, according to official statistics as of the morning of March 30, 1,644 people were killed, hundreds of buildings and infrastructure collapsed or were severely damaged, including many hospitals, infrastructure works, office buildings, etc.

Even the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar in Nay Pyi Taw was damaged and unsafe, forcing officials to move to work outdoors. Sympathizing and expressing deep condolences to Myanmar and Thailand, ASEAN countries strongly affirmed their solidarity and commitment to stand side by side with Myanmar and Thailand in overcoming and mitigating the consequences, damages and recovering from the disaster.

Several ASEAN countries have announced that they have sent or plan to send humanitarian aid and rescue teams to Myanmar to participate in search and rescue operations.

Within the framework of ASEAN, countries agreed to promote the effectiveness of emergency response mechanisms in ASEAN, especially the role of the AHA Center and the ASEAN Secretary-General in coordinating relief activities both within and outside the region, as well as mobilizing more resources and aid from the international community.

Reporting at the Conference, the ASEAN Secretary General and the Executive Director of the AHA Center said that after the earthquake, ASEAN immediately deployed many initial support mechanisms and measures, including activating the emergency response mechanism, sending a team of experts to Myanmar to directly assess the situation, and preparing essential aid items from regional reserves to be transferred to Myanmar...

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On this occasion, many ASEAN countries have called on parties in Myanmar to stop acts of violence, facilitate relief work, including ensuring that humanitarian aid is safely transported to affected areas, thereby creating a basis for dialogue and reconciliation to focus on the country's recovery and reconstruction.

Speaking at the Conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet conveyed the deep condolences of the Vietnamese Government and people to Thailand and Myanmar, affirming that Vietnam will stand side by side with the two countries to overcome current difficulties.

In the immediate future, Vietnam is urgently preparing to provide Myanmar with many essential goods and supplies, and at the same time deploying more than 100 officers and soldiers from the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam to Myanmar to participate in rescue work, expected to arrive on March 30.

Regarding ASEAN, the Deputy Minister emphasized that ASEAN needs to affirm its central role in coordinating efforts, especially when there are difficulties and challenges; accordingly, ASEAN needs to promote and effectively utilize available mechanisms and tools, especially the AHA Center and the ASEAN Secretary General, to mobilize and effectively coordinate resources, including those of ASEAN and its partners, thereby supporting disaster recovery and rehabilitation. ASEAN also needs to continue to closely coordinate with Myanmar to develop a long-term recovery and reconstruction plan.

On this occasion, the Deputy Minister also called on all parties in Myanmar to take responsibility in ensuring that humanitarian aid is carried out safely, without hindrance, and reaches all affected people. In particular, this could also be an opportunity for all parties in Myanmar to end all acts of violence, put aside differences, and join hands in relief work, towards the recovery and reconstruction of the country, bringing peace, stability and development to the people of Myanmar.

25 Vietnamese police officers and sniffer dogs arrive in Myanmar to help with earthquake recovery

On March 30, the Ministry of Public Security said that together with other countries and international organizations, Vietnam has also urgently mobilized rescue forces to support Myanmar in overcoming the consequences of the earthquake.

The rescue team of the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam consists of 25 officers and soldiers, led by Colonel Nguyen Minh Khuong, Deputy Director of the Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Police Department, Ministry of Public Security.

Along with that, the delegation also included two foreign affairs officers and interpreters, a doctor, 22 officers, soldiers, two service dogs, and rescue equipment and tools.

During the 10-day period, the rescue team of the Ministry of Public Security will participate in searching for people, providing medical examination and treatment, and participating in activities to overcome the consequences and damage caused by the earthquake.

The delegation also carried out other field activities at the request of the Myanmar side, in accordance with the delegation's expertise and capabilities.

The delegation is expected to arrive in Myanmar on the evening of March 30.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/asean-chung-tay-khac-phuc-hau-qua-tran-dong-dat-tai-myanmar-va-thai-lan-309394.html