Vice Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win addresses National Disaster Management Committee emergency meeting
NAY PYI TAW May 6
The National Disaster Management Committee held an emergency work coordination meeting at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement here at 2pm today, addressed by Committee Chairman Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win.
Present at the meeting were Union ministers, the Nay Pyi Taw Council chairman, Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air), Commander-in-Chief (Navy), Commander-in-Chief (Air), senior officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, deputy ministers and officials, while region and state chief ministers attended it through video conferencing.
In his speech, the Vice-Senior General said that according to European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts(ECMWF), Global Forecast System (GFS) Model and Myanmar’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, a low pressure area will intensify into a storm and a very powerful cyclone around May 8 in the Bay of Bengal, and it is likely to enter the buffer zone of Yangon and Ayeyawady regions or the coastal area.
However, an emergency meeting had to be called to overcome the natural disaster with least loss and damage despite a public holiday for departmental personnel who are responsible for performing duties for the State.
There are two possible routes through which the storm may enter Myanmar’s coastal region.
The first route is the land between Kungyangon Township in Yangon Region and Pyapon Township. The second route is the land between Sittway and Kyaukphyu after passing through Rakhine Coast. These are all forecasts. The exact route could be known only after the low pressure area becomes a storm. The stormy is likely to enter Myanmar around May 13 and 14.
This is why, preparedness measures need to start now. The national disaster management standing order (2022) has been already issued. The Tatmadaw has also issued what is needed while the National Disaster Management Committee has compiled and issued them.
Likewise, I believe that respective regions and states have adopted the standing order and procedures on the disaster management.
Even if the storm changes to other routes, our preparedness and rehearsal will yield benefits.
Today’s meeting was called because preparedness is essential.
Disaster management is of two parts national level response and Union Territory Nay Pyi Taw, region and state level response. National level response has already carried projects and directives. From now on, what should be amended must be amended. We have already experienced storms. Of the storms that occurred in Myanmar, the cyclone Nargis in 2008 is the worst.
Therefore, all data about emergency management have been collected. Measures must be taken to procure enough emergency equipment. As such, the national level committee and region/state management committees need to cooperate with each other. Moreover, it is necessary to coordinate with volunteers, Tatmadaw members, security forces, departmental staff and the people for all preparations. Similarly, township and village wise preparedness measures are required for the people living along the coastal area.
As per the national disaster management standing order (2022), twelve work committees must carry out tasks for preparedness, response and rehabilitation according to Chapter (4) for national level emergency management and response.
According to Chapter (5), work committees formed in the regions and states must do their respective tasks as well. According to Chapter (6), the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) members play their parts in preparedness, response and rehabilitation measures on a detailed basis.
According to the standing order, the national committee and region/state committees need to coordinate and share those tasks, the Vice-Senior General said. He then invited suggestions from the meeting participants.
Next, Committee Vice Chairs Union Ministers Lt-Gen Soe Htut and Dr Thet Thet Khaing reported on preparations for response, rescue and cooperation if a national disaster befalls.
Then, work committee chairmen Union ministers, the Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air), Commander-in-Chief (Navy) and Commander-in-Chief (Air) discussed response and preparedness measures against any natural disasters including a possible cyclone in the Bay of Bengal.
Then, Deputy Minister for Transport and Communications U Aung Kyaw Tun reported on possible entry of a cyclone into Myanmar and prompt campaigns and alerts for storm warnings via State media and telecom operators.
The Nay Pyi Taw Council chairman reported on response and preparedness measures, construction of shelters and rescue and relief efforts in all areas.
Afterwards, those in attendance gave their suggestions and the Vice-Senior General attended to the needs.
Committee Secretary Deputy Minister U Soe Kyi explained the resolutions of the emergency meeting and sought approval from the committee.
It was decided that the Disaster Management Committee will open an office at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement at Building No.23 on 8 May.
Later, the Vice-Senior General made a concluding remark and the meeting came to a close.