In the wake of Cyclone Mora, Myanmar debates ASEAN-Russian disaster response agreement

June 1, 2017

Myanmar announced plans yesterday to strengthen its disaster response systems in the wake of Cyclone Mora, which killed scores of people in neighbouring Bangladesh and left thousands homeless in both nations.

No deaths were reported in Myanmar, although many homes, schools and government buildings were damaged by the cyclone with winds up to 135 kph (85 mph).

Myanmar’s Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Dr. Win Myat Aye, announced at the second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw yesterday an Agreement on Cooperation in Natural Disaster Early Warning and Migitation between ASEAN and the Russian Federation.

Dr. Win Myat Aye said the agreement would enable Myanmar to respond more effectively to natural disasters in future.

Authorities in Cox’s Bazaar and Chittagong district  in Bangladesh evacuated 350,000 people from low-lying areas before the storm roared in from the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday. After the storm, 81 Bangladeshi fishermen were reported missing.

“Though the fishermen were rescued, most of the boats, the main instrument for our survival, are totally damaged and it is not possible to get them replaced quickly as we are not solvent,” said Mostaque Ahmed, head of the Cox’s Bazaar Mechanized Fishing Boat Owners Association.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar