02 Sep 19 - Source: Global New Light Of Myanmar - The National Disaster Management Committee yesterday provided relief to flood victims and rice seeds to farmers to aid re-planting efforts on flood-affected fields in Taninthayi Township.
At a meeting held for flood victims at the Taninthayi Town Hall, the vice chairman of the committee and Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye handed over K60.69 million for short duration rice seeds, K9.75 million for five fiber boats, over K919,000 for rice to 438 flood victims, and K200,000 to the family of a Tatmadaw member who sacrificed his life in the rescue operation, along with school uniforms, snacks, and toys for students. Following the ceremony, the Union Minister visited the Kangyi and Chaunggyi monasteries where flood victims are being sheltered, and distributed aid. Dr Win Myat Aye pledged that the committee would provide food to flood victims during their stay at the shelters, and sought suggestions from them for the committee.
He also stressed the need to take precautions for avoiding casualties and minimizing damages in floods which strike Taninthayi Region every year.
Afterwards, the Union Minister and his party visited the flood management office set up at the Taninthayi Fire Services Department and gave instructions to officials to provide aid to victims systematically.
Under the supervision of the National Disaster Management Committee, the local authorities and ministries concerned are making plans for the repair of sluice gates, upgrade of dykes around the town, and dredging of drains to reduce floods in the future. The dykes were upgraded and two sluice gates were built in 2014 to prevent the Taninthayi River from overflowing, but the facilities are not enough to prevent floods, the minister said.
With the assistance of the National Disaster Management Committee, short duration rice will be planted on 6,069 acres of farmlands, which were affected by the recent floods.—MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Lin)
