KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s search and rescue (SAR) contingent has arrived in Myanmar’s Sagaing district to begin a humanitarian mission and assist in SAR operations for earthquake victims there.
The Malaysian Humanitarian Aid Mission (MAS-01) team comprising Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) personnel reached the area in central Myanmar after a nearly 24-hour journey with police assistance and escort, said the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
“Upon arrival at the operational site, the team established a base of operations to facilitate the aid mission.
“The contingent commander also held a meeting with the Local Emergency Management Authorities, represented by district officer U Myaw Swar Maung Soe,” Nadma said in a statement reported by Bernama.
Yesterday, 50 SMART personnel and officers departed for Naypyidaw, Myanmar, aboard two A400M aircraft belonging to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) for the humanitarian mission and SAR operations.
The first aircraft landed at 11.36 am yesterday, followed by the second at 2.00 pm, carrying NADMA personnel and SAR equipment. The entire team then travelled approximately eight hours by land to reach the operation site.
The contingent, led by PgKB I Mohamad Hafiezul Abdul Halim, comprises 16 representatives from the Malaysian Armed Forces, 13 from the Royal Malaysia Police and 21 from the Fire and Rescue Department.
Myanmar was struck by a 7.7-magnitude earthquake last Friday, severely affecting Mandalay, Bago, Magway, northeastern Shan State, Sagaing and Naypyidaw. The tremor also impacted neighbouring Thailand.
The death toll according to international news agencies citing local junta authorities is over 1,700 with more than 3,400 injured, and many more missing.
Malaysia has pledged RM10 million in humanitarian assistance and is to send another humanitarian mission soon headed by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. – March 31, 2025