Humanitarian Visit to Myanmar Following Deadly Earthquake
The Malaysian Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, will undertake a humanitarian visit to Myanmar on April 5, following the deadly earthquake that struck central Myanmar on Friday, killing over 1,600. He will be accompanied by his Thai counterpart, Maris Sangiampongsa.
ASEAN’s Response to the Crisis
The decision to lead the visit was announced in a joint statement issued after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Special Emergency Meeting on Sunday, held in response to the earthquake that impacted both Myanmar and Thailand. During the meeting, the ministers agreed that Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair, and Thailand would jointly lead the visit.
Malaysia’s Commitment to Providing Assistance
Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry stated that the visit will serve to express Malaysia’s compassion and solidarity with the people of Myanmar and coordinate additional assistance, taking into account on-the-ground needs. Mohamad Hasan emphasized that ASEAN will work closely with Myanmar and Thailand to support relief efforts, based on the priorities identified.
ASEAN’s Collective Commitment
In his opening remarks, Mohamad Hasan conveyed Malaysia’s deepest condolences and reaffirmed ASEAN’s collective commitment to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to both the affected countries. He stressed that ASEAN must call upon international partners and the global community to stand with them in this time of crisis, welcoming all forms of assistance that can help alleviate suffering and accelerate recovery efforts.
ASEAN’s Swift Response
Mohamad Hasan welcomed ASEAN’s swift response through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) in supporting immediate relief efforts. He emphasized the readiness of the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ERAT) for immediate deployment, as ASEAN continues to monitor the situation and scale up its response.
Malaysia’s National Resources
Mohamad Hasan added that Malaysia’s commitment to providing assistance is further demonstrated by the rapid deployment of national resources. Two Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) aircraft departed for Naypyidaw carrying 50 personnel from the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) and essential equipment to support search and rescue operations.
Call for Ceasefire in Myanmar
During the meeting, Mohamad Hasan also called for all parties in Myanmar to cease hostilities and violence so as to ensure that humanitarian assistance may be effectively delivered and to also ensure the safety of the humanitarian personnel. This was supported by the other Foreign Ministers.
Conclusion
The ASEAN region is known for its strong sense of community and solidarity in times of crisis. The humanitarian visit to Myanmar following the deadly earthquake is a testament to this spirit, and we are proud to be part of this collective effort to provide assistance to those affected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the humanitarian visit to Myanmar?
A: The purpose of the visit is to express Malaysia’s compassion and solidarity with the people of Myanmar and coordinate additional assistance, taking into account on-the-ground needs.
Q: Who will accompany Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan on the visit?
A: His Thai counterpart, Maris Sangiampongsa, will accompany him on the visit.
Q: What is ASEAN’s collective commitment in this time of crisis?
A: ASEAN is committed to providing urgent humanitarian assistance to both the affected countries and is calling upon international partners and the global community to stand with them in this time of crisis.