Min Aung Hlaing Emphasizes Structural Safety, Reconstruction Efforts in Wake of Earthquake
Nay Pyi Taw, The Gulf Observer: Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing stressed the importance of structural integrity and adherence to engineering standards during the Union Government meeting held at the SAC Chairman’s Office in Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday.
Addressing the aftermath of the recent earthquake, the Senior General announced that the government has laid out plans to provide financial assistance to affected individuals and for the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and office buildings. He highlighted the need for thorough inspection of damaged buildings to ensure they were originally constructed according to designated standards and designs.
“It is vital to rebuild with resilience,” he stated, calling for all future construction—particularly office buildings and staff housing—to follow strict engineering standards capable of withstanding earthquakes up to magnitude 8 on the Richter scale.
The Senior General also ordered soil testing for all reconstruction and renovation projects, especially in quake-prone zones. He emphasized that buildings located on fault lines should be relocated to safer areas, noting that a redesign of Nay Pyi Taw’s urban layout is currently under consideration.
Temporary housing solutions, he said, should consist of duplex units equipped with reliable water and electricity supply. Additionally, repairs to damaged schools and hospitals must be carried out systematically to restore essential public services.
He also directed officials to prioritize the rehabilitation of key infrastructure such as railways, bridges, roads, dams, and reservoirs, while reinforcing the need for continued communication improvements and the provision of emergency services.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing acknowledged the support of the international community in Myanmar’s rehabilitation efforts. He mentioned a recent meeting with the ASEAN Rotating Chair and Malaysian Prime Minister in Bangkok, during which ASEAN pledged its assistance to Myanmar’s recovery.
Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Council Vice-Chairman and Deputy Prime Minister, provided an update on the temporary resettlement of affected populations, healthcare provisions, citizenship documentation, and mobile market support.
Council Secretary General Aung Lin Dwe, Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, and other officials were also present at the meeting, where detailed reports were presented on aftershock assessments, damage evaluations, and distribution of international aid equipment.
