SAC Vice Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win addresses meeting 4/2025 of National Disaster Management Committee
NAY PYI TAW June 6
Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win who chairs the National Disaster Management Committee delivered a speech at the meeting of the NDMC at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement in Nay Pyi Taw this afternoon.
Also present at the meeting were Chairman of the Supervisory Committee for Building Renovation and Reconstruction SAC Member Union Minister for Defence General Maung Maung Aye, vice chairs, committee member Union ministers, the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, deputy ministers, departmental heads, and officials together with chief ministers from Sagaing Region, Bago Region, Mandalay Region and Shan State through video conferencing.
The Vice-Senior General and the attendees of the meeting observed a one-minute moment of silence as a tribute, expressing their condolences and sympathy for the lives lost and the damages caused by the major earthquake that struck Mandalay on 28 March 2025.
In his address, the Vice-Senior General said that regarding the damages caused by the powerful Mandalay earthquake that struck on 28 March 2025, with a Richter scale magnitude of 7.7, a review and follow-up have been conducted. In today's meeting, the current status of completed, ongoing, and upcoming actions was discussed. The purpose is to enhance confidence in the completed recovery efforts, ensure the ongoing repairs are made sustainable in the long term, and coordinate the remaining tasks to be carried out according to their respective timelines.
Due to the Mandalay earthquake, as of today, there have been 3,739 deaths, 5,104 injuries, and 67 people reported missing. In addition, more than 63,000 houses, as well as schools, pagodas, monasteries, roads, and bridges, have been severely damaged. As the Chairman of the State Administration Council, efforts have been made to promptly rescue the affected people, government staff, and their families who suffered from the earthquake within hours of the disaster. Similarly, Chief Ministers of the affected states and regions have been seen conducting timely rescue operations. Regarding international aid and support, emergency rescue teams were dispatched, including 2,688 search and rescue and medical personnel from 25 countries. Among the earliest responders was the neighbouring country, the People’s Republic of China, which arrived to conduct rescue operations. Likewise, Myanmar Tatmadaw members, police forces, and firefighters have actively collaborated with international emergency rescue teams to carry out rescue and relief efforts with full capability.
In this regard, the Prime Minister made a request for international assistance within a short period. As a result, people affected and trapped by the earthquake, including civilians, staff, and their families, were rescued as quickly and effectively as possible, keeping them alive. Furthermore, a total of 2,472 tons of relief materials and medici-nes were delivered from 19 countries by 100 airplanes, 8 ships, and 2 motor vehicles. The experience and knowledge gained from the rescue operations conducted by international aid and rescue teams were invaluable. Myanmar's fire brigade members and rescue team members worked closely toge-ther, gaining valuable experience in the use and operation of advanced technical equipment used in the rescue efforts. Thanks to such substantial assistance, those affected by the earthquake were rescued promptly, and the reconstruction efforts could continue quickly.
Up to now, well-wishers at home and abroad have donated more than Ks-144 billion. Moreover, well-wishers abroad donated US$-5.1 million, Korean won 5 million, Indian rupees 16 million, Thai baht 2 million, Singaporean dollar 3,150, Chinese yuan 700, Sri Lankan rupees 250,000, Nepali rupees 37,000, Bangladeshi Taka 3,160, Vietnamese Dong 979,000, Indonesian rupees 20,000, Cambodian Riel 716,500, Laos kip more than 1.7 million and Russian Ruble more than 263,000.
On behalf of the State, the people, and the Disaster Management Centre, the Vice-Senior General expressed his gratitude at this meeting to the 25 international aid and rescue countries and the 19 countries that sent rescue supplies, as well as the rescue teams who cooperated together. The Vice-Senior General said that he would also like to reiterate thanks to the compassionate citizens who have generously contributed with full sympathy and support during times when natural disasters struck the country. The Prime Minister has given guidance through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to distribute commemorative badges to the groups from countries that came to assist in earthquake rescue operations. Furthermore, records of the rescue activities conducted by the various countries will also be presented, and relevant officials are urged to take care in organizing and sending these accordingly.
Additionally, the Prime Minister has instructed that, based on the donations received domestically and internationally, aid funds and materials should be distributed to the people in earthquake-affected areas in a timely and transparent manner. He emphasized that the received items have been systematically recorded and are being openly and fairly distributed to the affected populations. These efforts are also being reported daily in the newspapers. Regarding relief and reconstruction efforts, the government has allocated over Ks-144 billion from domestic donors and more than US$-5 million from international donors to the Natural Disaster Management Committee. These funds are intended to support emergency rescue operations, debris clearance, and reconstruction efforts.
To date, a total of Ks-264.656 billion has been utilized. This includes providing three months' worth of rice, oil, salt, beans, and fish paste to over 130,000 civil servants and their dependents across 45 ministries and organizations. Funds have also been allocated for temporary school structures in damaged basic and higher education institutions, repairs to staff housing, office buildings, and special structures, as well as emergency financial aid for affected citizens. For Grade 12 students (35,922) and their teachers (6,729) who will retake exams in three regions and one state due to fire-related exam paper damage, the Prime Minister has allocated Ks-20 billion this month to cover camp living expenses, stationery, travel, and accommodation costs for teachers providing intensive coaching. These funds include expenses for travel, meals, daily allowances, stationery, and school uniforms. Regarding housing damage assessments, the Disaster Management Committee (DMC) has calculated aid requirements for 39,603 non-government residential homes. Assessments are ongoing, and aid will be disbursed soon.
For 449 civil servant house-holds whose homes collapsed, resulting in the loss of household belongings, support has been provided by respective ministries, union ministers, and donors. The government is also addressing daily household needs. These households include 605 civil servants and 1,181 dependents, totaling 1,786 individuals. Due to procedural delays in compiling records, ministers have been urged to expedite verifications. The government has requested prefabricated housing and office units from the People’s Republic of China to ensure civil servants have secure shelter before the monsoon. Through embassy coordination, 500 prefabricated offices and 4,500 prefabricated houses have been received.
About two-thirds have already been distributed, with ongoing allocations. China has also donated 7.9 million gallons of diesel and 6 million gallons of petrol for disaster response and reconstruction logistics. Other donor countries have provided temporary school and office structures, for which on behalf of the government, DMC expresses deep gratitude.
In a post-earthquake economic recovery and reconstruction review meeting on May 30, the Prime Minister outlined three key pillars: humanitarian assistance and social protection, infrastructure rebuilding, and resilient economic revival with comprehensive reforms. The DMC will align its work with these pillars. Under the first pillar, humanitarian efforts were mobilized within 72 hours post-earthquake under the Prime Minister’s leadership.Psychosocial and physical support for affected citizens and staff continues collaboratively.
The second pillar emphasizes rebuilding beyond predisaster conditions, guided by policies ensuring improved social standards and environments, as seen in post-Mocha and Yagi cyclone reconstructions. Union Minister for Industry Dr. Charlie Than personally inspected factories and industrial zones post-earthquake, discussing needs with MSME owners in Sagaing, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw. Of 306 affected MSMEs, recovery efforts are prioritized to resume operations swiftly. Financial support will be facilitated through the Economic Development Fund, MSME funds, and bank linkages. Private banks are urged to offer low-interest loans to genuinely needy businesses.
As the third estate, it is necessary to continue to develop proper measures not to repeat what happened previously at the national level. In reconstruction, it is important to place emphasis on durability and earthquake resistance. All the buildings in reconstruction are required to withstand 8 Richeter scale by conducting soil tests. During the period from January to May in 2025, natural disasters broke out in 46 countries including two droughts, nine earthquakes, 32 floods, 34 storms, one volcanic eruption and nine forest fires. Looking back at the decade from 2015 to 2025, the world faced at least two droughts to 12 droughts, at least seven earthquakes to 19 earthquakes and at least 46 floods to 97 floods. Among them, the world faced 71 floods, at least 21 to 60 storms, three to five volcanic eruptions and one to nine forest fires in 2024. Studying these facts, it should be well aware that the largest numbers of natural disasters were floods and storms.
As it is the rainy season in our country, it is necessary to take measures to prevent natural disasters to reduce the damage to the minimum. As the national level natural disaster prevention project has been developed, responsible officials are required to take measures for prevention and mock trials for emergency evacuation exercises. It is important to place emphasis on floods and storms. As a result, it is necessary for the National-level Central Centre for Management of Natural Disasters and the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology to study from data from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) website-https://www.ecmwf.int, National Hurricane Center, Global Forecast System (GFS) Website-https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/weather-climate-models/global-forecast and the website of the Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology at http://www.dmh.gov.mm. It is necessary for the Ministry of Information to publish the information from the websites on television and daily newspapers to enable the public to know them.
Although measures have been taken to enable people to live under safe shelters, it is necessary to report their needs to relevant committees in real time, not only at the meetings. Only then, can the needs be fulfilled in real time. Data collectors are also required to collect informatons correctly and precisely and without wasting time to report step by step. It is also necessary for the government to take systemic measures to spend donations and government contributions for reconstruction and safe living for the people. Similarly, efforts are being made to improve the electric, transportation, education, health and construction sectors during the rehabilitation period consistently. Despite the hindrances in doing so, it is important to overcome them at its best. In connection with the economy, As MSMEs are contributing a lot to the economy of the country, it is necessary to help MSMEs in Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region and Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, that were damaged by the earthquake, to resume operations as soon as possible. Relevant state and regional chief ministers are also required to deliver aid to the hands of the people after they are approved. Responsible officials are required to supervise cement factories to resume operations as soon as possible during the rehabilitation period to supply construction materials.Basic education schools opened on June 2nd, and students have been provided with a safe and peaceful learning environment. Any needs or issues should be reported in a timely manner. In terms of public health, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued to prevent the spread of the resurging Omicron variant of COVID-19 must be strictly observed and enforced. This is especially important as earthquake relief workers and displaced residents are currently living together in temporary camps. Attendees are required to present their respective sector's work activities, remaining challenges, short-term and long-term plans, as well as current needs.
Then, the Vice Chairmen of the National Disaster Management Committee, Lieutenant General Tun Tun Naung and Dr. Soe Win, explained the security situation in earthquake-affected areas, efforts to maintain the rule of law and community peace and prosperity, assistance in retrieving items left in damaged buil-dings, ongoing rehabilitation activities in the affected regions and states, the construction and installation of prefabricated houses and offices for affected departments and staff, support provided to affected people and employees, the assessment of original and current values of the damages, as well as the arrival and distribution of international aid to the earthquake-hit areas.
Afterwards, Union Minister General Maung Maung Aye, Chairman of the Buildings Restoration, Utilization, and New Buildings Construction Supervision Committee, explained the measures taken to prioritize the opening of temporary offices, the inspection teams that inspected offices, staff housing, dormitories, and special buildings, their inspection findings, and the renovation work currently in progress.
Next, the committee secretary, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, U Soe Kyi, read the progress report on the implementation of decisions made at the previous meeting.
Then, those who attended the meeting explained the status of renovation work, which has been completed according to the evaluation criteria for ministry offices, buildings, and staff housing, as well as the progress of office operations and staff relocation. They also explained about providing basic food supplies to employees, systematically receiving and distributing international aid to affected areas, and facilitating MSME businesses’ access to loans. They also explained about the operation and production of domestic cement factories and iron ore refineries, as well as the demand for iron and steel bars during the 18-month recovery period. Also, they explained about the situation regarding the reconstruction of earthquake-damaged schools and universities, as well as the status of schools currently open. Then, they explained the disease prevention and control activities carried out in the earthquake-affected areas, as well as the dissemination of accurate information about the earthquake to the public through stateowned media. They also reported that roads and bridges damaged by the earthquake have been repaired, along with irrigation systems and embankments, and that irrigation water is now being distributed. They also explained that Tatmadaw (Air Force) has prepared aircraft and helicop-ters to ensure timely relief and transportation operations and is conducting sector-specific rehabilitation activities.
Then, Vice-Senior General Soe Win coordinated the discussions, facilitated necessary arrangements, delivered the concluding speech, and adjourned the meeting.