Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has sent 70 tons of relief supplies to Myanmar where a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake has taken over 2,700 lives and left thousands of people injured.
The earthquake which struck Myanmar on Friday has destroyed ancient pagodas and modern buildings and left many people homeless.
NDMA has started sending relief items to help earthquake victims on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directions.
The first batch which includes 35 tons of supplies was sent to Yangon today with the second shipment to be sent soon.
Federal Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary shared the government’s solidarity with the people of Myanmar during this difficult time. He also delivered a message of sympathy from PM Shehbaz Sharif.
The first 35 tons shipment includes 565 tents, 210 tarpaulins, 2,000 blankets, 1 ton of ready-to-eat food, 0.5 ton of medicines and 10 water purification modules.
The Myanmar ambassador expressed gratitude towards the Pakistani government and its people for their timely help.
Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing reported that the death toll had reached 2,719 with over 4,500 people injured and 441 missing. The number of casualties is expected to exceed 3,000.
A preschool in Mandalay collapsed and led to the death of 50 children and two teachers according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) reports that many survivors fearing aftershocks are sleeping outside on roads and fields.
Aid workers are struggling to deliver food, water and shelter due to the country’s ongoing civil war.
Myanmar’s civil war is making it even harder for aid workers to reach victims. Amnesty International has urged the military to allow humanitarian assistance in all affected areas.
