ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has geared up to deliver 70 tons of relief goods to Myanmar in the wake of a deadly earthquake that has killed over 2,700 people.
According to a foreign office statement on Tuesday, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal seen off the first flight carrying 35 tons.
“Under the direction of Prime Minister Muhamamd Shehbaz Sharif, the Government of Pakistan is dispatching relief goods for the earthquake victims in Myanmar,” it said.
It added the first flight was carrying essential supplies including 565 Tents, 210 Tarpaulins, 2000 Blankets, 1 Ton of Readymade Food, 0.5 Tons of Medicines, and 10 Water Modules.
Upon arrival in Yangon, the cargo will be received by Pakistan Ambassador and Defence Attaché, who will hand over the supplies to Myanmar’s Ministry of Social Welfare & Resettlement for distribution to those affected by the disaster.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with his Myanmar counterpart, expressing solidarity with the people of Myanmar and assuring them of all possible assistance in the wake of the disaster.
Myanmar declared a week of national mourning on Monday following a devastating earthquake that has claimed over 2,700 lives, with hopes of finding more survivors fading.
The government announced that national flags would be flown at half-mast until April 6 “in sympathy for the loss of life and damages” caused by the massive quake that struck on Friday.
The quake, one of the most powerful to hit the Southeast Asian nation in a century, has caused widespread destruction across cities and rural areas alike.
The earthquake has led to the collapse of numerous buildings, including homes, schools, and religious structures.
Critical infrastructure such as bridges, highways, and airports has been severely damaged, hindering rescue and relief operations.
International aid and rescue efforts
In response to the disaster, international aid has begun to pour into Myanmar. Neighbouring countries including China, India, and Thailand have dispatched relief materials and rescue teams.
Furthermore, Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia have contributed aid and personnel to assist in the relief efforts.
The United Nations has allocated $5 million for immediate response, emphasising the urgency of stabilising affected communities before the onset of the monsoon season.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Damaged infrastructure and ongoing civil conflict have complicated the delivery of aid to the hardest-hit areas.
In some regions near the epicentre, residents report a lack of government assistance, leaving communities to conduct rescue operations with limited resources.
“The time window for critical search and rescue is narrowing … Shelter, clean water, medicine are in short supply. People in affected areas spent the night in the open because there is no electricity or running water,” OCHA’s Myanmar Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Marcoluigi Corsi told reporters in Geneva via video link from Yangon.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that hospitals are overwhelmed, with dwindling medical supplies, and shortages of running water and fuel.
Meanwhile, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has classified the situation as a top-level humanitarian crisis and is mobilising essential aid, including plastic sheets, sleeping materials, and mosquito nets.
