Pakistan Dispatches 35 Tonnes of Relief Supplies to Quake-Hit Myanmar
Pakistan has dispatched 35 tonnes of relief supplies to Myanmar in light of the recent earthquake, which has led to significant loss of life and injuries. Relief efforts face challenges due to extensive destruction of infrastructure. Urgent needs include shelter, clean water, and medical supplies, as international agencies raise alarms about potential health crises.
On the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistani government has dispatched a relief consignment of 35 tonnes to quake-affected Myanmar. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry oversaw the cargo flight’s departure at Islamabad International Airport, as reported by Radio Pakistan. The aid package encompasses tents, blankets, tarpaulins, water modules, ready-to-eat meals, and medicines, slated for delivery to Myanmar authorities at Yangon Airport.
Myanmar’s ruling junta has reported a death toll of 2,719 from the major earthquake that struck last week, with projections suggesting the number could rise above 3,000. In a televised address, Chief Min Aung Hlaing mentioned that 4,521 individuals sustained injuries and 441 are currently unaccounted for following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake.
The United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicated a dire need for shelter, potable water, and medical supplies as the region grapples with extensive structural damage and human casualties. Critical infrastructure has suffered severe impairments, including vital bridges and roads.
The OCHA’s Myanmar Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Marcoluigi Corsi highlighted that the time for effective search and rescue operations is diminishing, emphasizing the lack of shelter, clean water, and medicines. Many affected residents have spent nights outdoors due to the absence of electricity and running water, he noted during a video conference from Yangon.
Multiple UN agencies have expressed alarm regarding the critical shortage of drinking water and the potential for cholera outbreaks. Julia Rees, UNICEF’s Deputy Representative, underscored the urgency of the situation, stating, “It is really dire — the most immediate need is water, it is super hot out there…Water pipes and septic tanks have broken.”
The World Health Organization reported that hospitals are overwhelmed with patients, and medical supplies are dwindling. Furthermore, shortages of running water and fuel have exacerbated the crisis. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has identified the situation as a significant humanitarian emergency and is mobilizing essential supplies, including plastic sheets, bedding materials, and mosquito nets.
Response efforts have been hindered by the severe destruction of roads and bridges, resulting in UNHCR teams taking 13 hours to reach Mandalay from Yangon, a journey that typically takes eight hours. UNHCR representative Babar Baloch commented, “The most urgent requirements is shelter and relief items … there is also the risk of explosive ordnance – due to the last four years of active conflict.”
In conclusion, Pakistan has made substantial efforts to assist Myanmar by sending 35 tonnes of relief supplies in response to the devastating earthquake. The human toll continues to rise, highlighting the critical shortages in water, shelter, and medical assistance. With widespread damage complicating response efforts, the international community must act swiftly to address this escalating humanitarian crisis.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
