Jakarta ( WNAM MONITORING ): The Indonesian government has announced plans to send emergency teams and aid items in stages to Myanmar to help handle damages and victims of the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on March 28.
Speaking at an online meeting, held in Jakarta on Sunday, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno emphasized that Indonesia is committed to providing assistance to any fellow Southeast Asian country reeling from a disaster.
In this regard, the Indonesian government had decided to deploy a preliminary team on Monday (March 31) to Myanmar by using a commercial flight
The following day, a search and rescue team will fly to Myanmar aboard military aircraft, followed by an emergency medical team along with consignments of logistical assistance to be deployed from the Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in Jakarta on April 3.
Pratikno further remarked that this humanitarian mission would entail collaboration among multiple ministries and agencies.
The minister pointed out that the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) had been assigned to prepare and distribute aid packages, while the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basasrnas) is asked to assist evacuation, and the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) provides operational and security support.
Furthermore, the Health Ministry is set to send medics and medicines, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will establish coordination with the Myanmar government to obtain permits for the mission.
He added that the government had decided to mobilize ready-to-use funds (DSP) to procure and deliver the assistance to Myanmar through an airport in Naypyidaw.
An earthquake of a staggering 7.7 magnitude jolted Myanmar on Friday (March 28), with the epicenter detected 10 kilometer deeps around the Sagaing and Mandalay regions.
The quake’s tremors, followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock, also affected parts of India, Bangladesh, China, and Thailand.
This tectonic disaster caused extensive damage, notably in Myanmar and Thailand, resulting in over a thousand fatalities and approximately 2,300 injuries.
