Solidarity and Support: PM Shehbaz Sharif Extends Condolences and Aid to Myanmar After Earthquake

• PM Shehbaz Sharif telephones Myanmar’s junta chief Gen Min Aung.
• Assures his counterpart that Pakistan stands in solidarity with them.
• Expresses confidence in the resilience of Myanmar’s affected people.

Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, which caused significant loss of life and widespread destruction, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has conveyed his deepest condolences to the leadership and people of Myanmar.

During a telephone conversation with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the junta chief of Myanmar, PM Shehbaz expressed the heartfelt sympathies of the Pakistani government and its citizens regarding the tragic event.

He reassured his counterpart in Myanmar that Pakistan stands united with the communities affected by the earthquake and is prepared to offer assistance to alleviate their suffering.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister announced that, under his instructions, Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will dispatch approximately 70 tons of essential relief goods to Myanmar. These supplies, intended to support those impacted by the earthquake, are scheduled to arrive in two shipments within the next 48 hours.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his confidence in the strength and resilience of the people of Myanmar, expressing hope for their swift recovery from the disaster. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to providing humanitarian support and disaster relief assistance whenever and wherever it is needed.

In response, Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing expressed his gratitude to the Pakistani government and its people for their prompt assistance and solidarity during this difficult time. He acknowledged the humanitarian aid as a significant demonstration of friendship and support for Myanmar in its time of need.

The earthquake that struck on March 28 has had a profound impact on Myanmar, and rescue and relief operations are currently underway as authorities work diligently to provide assistance to those affected.

The toll from the earthquake in Myanmar continued to climb on Sunday, as international rescue teams and aid poured into the country, where hospitals were overwhelmed, and numerous communities struggled to coordinate rescue efforts with limited resources.

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake, one of the most powerful to strike Myanmar in a century, shook the nation on Friday, resulting in approximately 1,700 fatalities, 3,400 injuries, and over 300 individuals missing as of Sunday, according to the military government.

The junta chief, Senior General Hlaing, cautioned that the number of fatalities could potentially increase, state media reported, three days after he issued a rare appeal for international assistance.

“The destruction is extensive, and humanitarian needs are escalating by the hour,” stated the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in a statement.

The United States has pledged $2 million in aid “through Myanmar-based humanitarian assistance organizations” and announced that an emergency response team from USAID is being deployed to Myanmar.

The devastation has compounded the existing challenges in Myanmar, which is already grappling with chaos stemming from a civil war that arose following a nationwide uprising after the 2021 military coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Critical infrastructure, including bridges, highways, airports, and railways, has sustained damage across the country, impeding humanitarian efforts while the ongoing conflict continues to batter the economy, displace over 3.5 million people, and strain the healthcare system.

The military council has declined requests from international journalists to cover the devastation, citing the scarcity of water, electricity, and available accommodations.