Yangon: Bangladesh Navy ship ‘BNS Somudra Avijan’ carrying the second phase of humanitarian assistance for the earthquake-affected people of Myanmar arrived in Yangon. The ship delivered more than 120 metric tons of relief items, including 75.5 metric tons of dry food, hygiene kits, water, tents, and other emergency items, as stated in a press release received today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Dr. M Monwar Hossain handed over the relief materials to the Chief Minister of the Yangon Region, U Soe Thein, at a ceremony held at the MITT jetty in Yangon. During his remarks, Ambassador Hossain emphasized Bangladesh’s commitment as a responsible neighbor and a leader in disaster management, expressing solidarity with the earthquake-affected people of Myanmar.
The Ambassador praised the efforts of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, who provided relief supplies and humanitarian support, including rescue operations and medical services, to Myanmar residents from April 1 to 10 in Naypyidaw. He extended gratitude to the captain and crew of BNS Somudra Avijan for delivering the critical relief materials to Yangon and highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing support to Myanmar during natural disasters such as Cyclone Mocha in 2023.
Additionally, Ambassador Hossain handed over 800 boxes of hygiene kits to the executive committee members of the Myanmar Red Cross. This consignment marks the largest shipment of relief supplies sent by Bangladesh to Myanmar this year following an earthquake.
Earlier, in the first phase, two consignments totaling 31.5 metric tons of relief materials were delivered on March 30 and April 1. The materials were transported by three Bangladesh Air Force C-130J aircraft and two Bangladesh Army CASA aircraft, along with a 55-member search and rescue team, to Yangon and Naypyidaw.
The handing-over ceremony was attended by Myanmar government officials, Brigadier General Md. Aftab Hossain, diplomats from the Bangladesh Embassy, and the captain and crew of the ship.