Bangladesh sends emergency aid to earthquake-hit Myanmar

The Bangladesh Army has sent relief supplies to help the victims of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar. In addition, initiatives have been taken to send rescue and medical teams, including medicines, tents, dry food and medical services on an urgent basis.

The Bangladesh Army announced this information through a post on its verified Facebook page on Sunday (March 30).

The army said that on the instructions of the Chief Adviser, the Bangladesh Armed Forces have started working to send emergency relief assistance. Initially, one C-130J aircraft and one CASA C-295W aircraft of the Army Aviation left for Yangon, Myanmar at 12:50 pm today from the Bangladesh Air Force base in Kurmitola.

A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand at 12:50 pm local time on March 28, which caused the loss of about 1,600 lives in Myanmar. The earthquake has caused a humanitarian disaster in Myanmar due to food, water, shelter and emergency medical services shortages.

The Bangladesh government is shocked by the disaster in neighboring Myanmar and is committed to providing assistance to them. A 20-member expert search and rescue team from the Bangladesh Army and a 10-member rescue team from the Fire Service and Civil Defense have been prepared for the rescue operation.

The Bangladesh Army said that rescue and medical teams will be sent later, depending on the needs of the Myanmar government. The army expressed hope that Bangladesh's humanitarian assistance will play a helpful role in alleviating the suffering of the people affected by the earthquake in Myanmar.