ASEAN Ready to Assist Myanmar, Thailand in Disaster Response, Says Malaysian FM

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), March 29 (Bernama) -- ASEAN stands ready to assist Myanmar and Thailand in their disaster response efforts following the recent earthquake, in line with the priorities set by both countries, says Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan.

He said the assistance would be provided in accordance with these priorities to ensure effective and targeted aid, according to the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) in a statement on Saturday.

Echoing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's earlier remarks on Friday (March 28), Mohamad reaffirmed Malaysia's solidarity with ASEAN neighbours and stressed that ASEAN is prepared to support Myanmar and Thailand in their disaster response efforts.

“ASEAN Member States will coordinate closely through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) to ensure that humanitarian aid is delivered in a timely, appropriate, and effective manner,” he said.

In latest development, a total of 694 people were killed, 1,670 injured and 68 missing in a deadly earthquake in Mandalay region of Myanmar as of Saturday morning, according to the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council.

The earthquake caused a power supply system failure. Mobile networks were also not working smoothly, and there was no mobile signal in some areas of Yangon.

Many buildings were damaged, and rescue operations are underway, international media reported.

-- BERNAMA