Red Cross raises a total of €280,000 for Myanmar, Flemish Government contributes €200,000 of it
Belgian Red Cross-Flanders raised a total of €280,000 since the massive earthquake in Myanmar. The Flemish Government is contributing significantly to that amount by releasing €200,000. Red Cross aid workers provide medical care to injured people, distribute water and food and search for survivors with declining hope. At the same time, a large logistics chain is getting underway to support thousands of families with shelter, potable water, medical care and hygiene kits. The support from Flanders helps make this possible.
"The human toll after the earthquake in Myanmar is incalculable," said Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele. "Flanders is releasing €200,000 so that Red Cross Flanders can deploy some search and rescue teams and relief workers in the field, in addition to distributing emergency relief supplies, in order to provide assistance to those affected in the most efficient way possible."
Severe disaster in an already vulnerable area
On March 28, an earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck central Myanmar. The regions of Sagaing and Mandalay were particularly hard hit. More than 70 percent of the buildings in Sagaing sustained damage, many houses collapsed completely. Bridges and main roads were damaged, many electricity and communication networks are still down.
The disaster affects a region already struggling with political instability, a complex humanitarian landscape and now a heat wave with local temperatures around and above 40 degrees Celsius. That increases the risk of dehydration, disease outbreaks and delays relief efforts.
The first 72 hours save lives
Local Red Cross volunteers have been active with search and rescue efforts since the first hours. In that first phase, every minute counts: it is the moment when people can still be retrieved alive from under the rubble, and where medical help literally saves lives.
Relying on 6,400 volunteers and 600 staff locally, the Red Cross began providing medical assistance and distributing relief supplies. Specialized teams left for the affected regions to set up mobile health posts and water treatment points. Furthermore, a mission is also underway to further assess the damage and further identify needs. "Our local teams are doing what they can in particularly difficult circumstances," said Vincent Verbeecke, spokesman for Belgian Red Cross-Flanders. "Without electricity, with collapsed bridges and temperatures close to 40 degrees, relief efforts are particularly tough. But these first days are crucial to save lives."
Logistics help in full construction
Hundreds of thousands of people in the affected region had already been displaced by violence. Now thousands are without homes and wandering the streets in search of water and food. "A gigantic chain has been set in motion to get logistical help to the ground. The challenge is to do this efficiently without disrupting the local environment," Verbeecke said. "It's important to make a trade-off there as well, is the need for additional aid workers or logistical resources the greatest, how can aid maximize lives saved."
"It's about resources like distributing tarpaulins, tents, potable water - up to 20 liters per person per day - to prevent disease outbreaks like cholera, and so much more." knows Verbeecke.
Gratitude to population and government
The support of the Flemish Government represents an important lever. With €200,000, family tents, sleeping bags, hygiene kits and tarps, among other things, can be provided for thousands of people.
"The emergency relief should provide thousands of tarpaulins, sleeping bags, hygiene kits and tents. These are not symbols, these are literally life-saving resources," said Flemish Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele.
"We are grateful for the solidarity response. Both from the Flemish Government and from all citizens who have already donated. Together we will make sure that help gets underway quickly." concludes Verbeecke.
Make a donation
Those wishing to contribute can do so through the emergency relief fund of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders. Donations are welcome at BE53 0000 0000 5353 with the mention 'Earthquake Myanmar' or via www.rodekruis.be/aardbeving-myanmar.