Myanmar Earthquake: International Aid Pouring In

This is the rescue scene photographed in Mandalay, Myanmar on March 29.

The death toll from the powerful earthquake in Myanmar has risen to 1,644. As of now, according to the information released by Myanmar's state administrative body on the evening of the 29th, the death toll in the affected areas across the country is 1,644, with 3,408 injured and 139 missing.

The Chinese rescue team headed for Mandalay Province, a hard - hit area in Myanmar. On March 29, it was learned from the emergency management department that a group of 82 Chinese rescuers took a chartered Air China flight and traveled more than 3,600 kilometers from Beijing. They arrived at Yangon International Airport at around 4:30 p.m. local time in Myanmar on the 29th and then drove to Mandalay Province, which was severely affected by the disaster.

On March 29, the Chinese rescue team arrived at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar.

Zhao Ming, the captain of the Chinese rescue team, introduced that the Chinese rescue team would immediately start the work of unloading and transporting supplies according to the local actual situation. They have contacted the Chinese embassy and consulate in Myanmar and are in the process of coordinating with relevant local government agencies. After arriving at the disaster - stricken area, they will receive specific search - and - rescue tasks, send out rescue teams to conduct on - site investigations of the mission areas, and at the same time, choose a safe and suitable location to set up a camp.

It is reported that the Chinese rescue team is an international heavy - duty search - and - rescue team certified by the United Nations. It is well - equipped in terms of personnel and resources and has rich experience in successfully carrying out search - and - rescue missions overseas. It can conduct operations simultaneously in two different work areas.

On the first day after the earthquake in Myanmar, many neighboring countries rushed to provide emergency assistance. A 7.9 - magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar on the 28th, causing heavy casualties and property losses. After the disaster, neighboring countries such as China, as well as ASEAN member states like Malaysia and Cambodia, paid high attention to the earthquake situation, quickly responded and offered help, and urgently coordinated disaster - relief assistance.

At the request of the Myanmar government, the Chinese government has decided to provide 100 million yuan in emergency humanitarian earthquake - relief assistance to Myanmar, dispatch a rescue team, and provide urgently needed supplies such as tents, blankets, first - aid kits, food, and drinking water to the disaster - stricken area. The first batch of aid supplies is planned to be shipped on the 31st. China will also continue to provide assistance according to Myanmar's needs.

In addition, the emergency management department dispatched 82 members of the Chinese rescue team with rescue equipment and supplies to the disaster area to fully assist Myanmar in carrying out rescue operations. The Chinese rescue team arrived at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on the afternoon of the 29th local time.

At around 7 a.m. local time on the 29th, a 37 - member medical rescue team from Yunnan, China, arrived at Yangon International Airport with emergency rescue supplies such as full - function life detectors, earthquake early - warning systems, portable satellites, and drones.

ASEAN foreign ministers issued a joint statement on the 28th, saying that the earthquake had caused heavy casualties in Myanmar and Thailand and extensive damage to infrastructure. The member states hereby expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the people of the two countries. ASEAN will deploy an emergency response and assessment team according to the priorities of the two countries, activate the ASEAN disaster emergency logistics system, mobilize urban search - and - rescue forces, and coordinate humanitarian assistance with the help of the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Center to support disaster - relief and reconstruction work and ensure a timely and effective response.

The Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the 29th, saying that as the rotating chair of ASEAN, Malaysia will stand united with other member states and continue to contribute to the humanitarian relief and disaster - management work of the entire ASEAN. The Malaysian National Disaster Management Agency has sent a 50 - member humanitarian rescue team to Myanmar.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet posted on social media on the 29th, saying that after the earthquake, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Labor cooperated through the Cambodian embassy in Thailand. The staff went directly to the scene to collect relevant information and communicate with Cambodian workers in Bangkok and keep a continuous eye on the situation.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force posted on a social - media platform that on the 29th, it assembled a rescue team of 80 people and 4 search - and - rescue dogs to go to the disaster area in Myanmar, ready to provide assistance in aspects such as medical treatment, search - and - rescue, and hazardous - material handling.

An Indian Air Force transport aircraft carrying emergency humanitarian aid supplies arrived in Yangon on the 29th. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Jaishankar announced on the same day that India would provide emergency supplies such as tents, sleeping bags, blankets, and ready - to - eat food, as well as medical supplies such as antibiotics to the disaster area in Myanmar and urgently dispatch a search - and - rescue team.

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on the 29th that it would provide 2 million New Zealand dollars (about 1.14 million US dollars) to support the post - earthquake emergency rescue work in Myanmar.

Philippine Health Minister Herbosa said in an interview on the 29th that the Philippines is ready to dispatch three emergency medical assistance teams after completing the international coordination procedures with the affected country and receiving a request.