Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing holds emergency disaster management meeting
NAY PYI TAW May 14
A low depression area formed over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea had gradually intensified into Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm “Mocha” and was likely to cross Myanmar. In this regard, an emergency disaster management meeting led by Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was held at the assembly hall of Office of Commander-in-Chief this morning to carry out emergency management, response, rescue and cooperation, and to set up ready teams and rehabilitation programs.
Also present were SAC Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, union ministers U Aung Naing Oo, Dr Kan Zaw, U Maung Maung Ohn and U Ko Ko, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief Navy) Admiral Moe Aung, Commander- in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander- in-Chief and officials.
Formation of storm and its direction towards Myanmar
First, Admiral Moe Aung reported on the development of a low depression area over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea into cyclonic storm Mocha which later intensified into Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm, possibility of the storm entering Myanmar earlier than the predicted time and the likely damage it might cause owing to the storm’s path to Myanmar and its intensifying wind speed.
In response, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said storm warnings were issued in advance.
The storm was marked red three days ago as it was more likely to move into the Myanmar coastal area. Necessary preparations were made.
The degree of destruction in coastal areas as well as the areas the storm would cross after making landfall must be reduced to the most possible extent. Normally, rainfall is heavy in the storm hit areas.
Preparations should be made in advance to carry out relief and rescue operations at the stormhit areas in time.
Emergency rice and other food supplies stored in advance by State and Tatmadaw
Union Minister for Commerce U Aung Naing Oo, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko, Chairman of Myanmar Economic Holding Public Co. Ltd Lt-Gen Hsan Oo, Chairman of Myanmar Economic Corporation Lt-Gen Nyo Saw, and Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Kyaw Swa Lin reported on region wise storage of reserve rice in advance for storm-hit areas, storage of food supplies and tin roofs by Tatmadaw, instant noodles, food supplies, edible oil, personal goods and construction material for emergency purpose, preparations to cause lest destruction to Bagan ancient cultural zone, emergency repair programs for monasteries and nunneries, and continued provision of meals for monks and nuns.
The Senior General looked into the requirements and said food supplies must be stored in advance and military aircraft, vessels and vehicles must be readied to transport them to storm hit areas in time. Aid distribution must be swift and effective and aid packages must be userfriendly. Normally monasteries are located at the edge of villages or towns and the damaged ones must be repaired in time, and priority must be given to monasteries and schools.
Moreover, robes and nun uniforms must be stored in advance.
Protection programs must be set up to cause least damage to pagodas in Bagan ancient cultural zone.
Prearranged healthcare programs
Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Soe Min Oo explained the preparations made by Tatmadaw to distribute medicines and send medical teams.
In response, the Senior General spoke of the need to make healthcare programs and medical aids, medical teams and seagoing hospitals ready for relief operations. He said seagoing hospitals must also carry emergency food aid and social goods. Teams should be sent to deal with the follow up diseases.
Preparedness for moving disaster victims, roads and communications, reconstruction
Then, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung, Quartermaster General Lt-Gen Kyaw Swa Lin and Director of Directorate of Military Engineers Brig-Gen Zaw Naing Oo reported on preparedness for readiness of aircraft and helicopters, capabilities and requirements of aircraft and helicopters, forming 10 units of vehicle comprising emergency relief items to move the victims in the cyclone hit areas, members of Military Medical Corps and Military Engineers and information teams and sending them to the Cyclone hit areas, readiness of emergency and military use bailey bridges and helipads for building emergency landing areas for helicopters and readiness of vehicles carrying drinking water and power generators.
Regarding the reports, the Senior General said it is necessary to make preparations on Sittwe Airport in order that aircraft could land at night time to deliver relief items from time to time after the storm although aircraft and helicopters could not be used during the storm. It is necessary to form two more vehicle units beside the 10 units for emergency rescue and to prepare in advance in order that relief items could be timely delivered to areas in need of them at the required time.
Measures being taken to have and release real time information
Next, Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn and Director of Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun reported on using the backpack satellite communications system to constantly receive information on the stormrelated situation in the stormaffected regions it and release it and releasing information on the cyclone on radio,TV and websites constantly in order that the public are aware of that from time to time.
Regarding the reports, the Senior General said it is to release information on public awareness and alertness saying that disaster risks such as flooding and landslides could occur not only in coastal areas but inland areas where are affected by the storm. Storm warnings could be released in various ways to ensure that everyone could be aware. It is necessary to take measures to have relevant information from time to time.
Cooperating with international organizations in relief measures for disaster-affected areas
Afterwards, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Dr Kan Zaw reported on the state of measures being taken in cooperation with international organizations to provide relief measures in the disasteraffected areas.
Regarding the reports, the Senior General said that in carrying out the disaster relief tasks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of International Cooperation and the Ministry of Social Welfare and Resettlement need to work together from time to time as well as to cooperate with the AHA Centre.
To take relief measures without leaving any citizen
The Senior General then asked union ministers, the Chief Minister of Yangon Region and senior military officers about the needs and suggestions and said that it is necessary to get the aircraft, vessels and vehicles ready to quickly and effectively deliver relief and emergency items to the cyclonebattered areas. Ministries concerned, region and state governments, defense services (Army, Navy and Air) and military commands are to work together in taking relief and recovery measures.
The Senior General also said that it was necessary to take relief measures without leaving any citizen and he would be keeping an eye on the state of taking relief measures to overcome the disaster risk with a minimum damage and be able to fulfill the needs from time to time.