Myanmar Embassy Welcomes Aid As Death Toll Tops 22,000
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Embassy of the Union of Myanmar in Brunei Darussalam welcomed emergency aid from the Sultanate, notably food, medicines and water purifiers for the victims of Cyclone Nargis, which has devastated the country leaving more than 22,700 dead and over 40,000 missing.

Its new Ambassador, Thura Thet Oo Maung, told the Bulletin yesterday that His Majesty the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam had sent his condolences to Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Senior General Than Shwe and the Prime Minister, General TheM Sein, while His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, also sent similar condolences to his counterpart, Nyan Win.

Meanwhile, Asean Secretary-General, Surin Pitsuwan, said, "We are now appealing to all Asean governments, the private sector and the civil society... to please respond generously."

Surin also called for help from Asean's dialogue partners, which include the United States, the European Union, China, Japan and South Korea, as well as from non-government organisations and civil society groups worldwide, AFP reported.

Surin said he had discussed the disaster with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who proposed that Asean should help stricken members as a regional grouping.

He said he hoped that "we, Asean, can begin to build a stockpile of emergency relief as a network in the region in order to be prepared for such natural calamities and disasters", Surin said.

"We have received formal enquiries from Brunei agencies and there have been some indications of assistance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar said they are open to assistance from all over the world," the Myanmar envoy added.

The new envoy said, instant noodles, medicines, tents, clothing, blankets, water purifiers and hydration salt are some of the urgently needed aid, which can only be transported via air cargo as port facilities in Myanmar were damaged in the cyclone. Communications like phone lines and Internet have also broken down.

The assistance, either in the form of material or in kind can be channelled directly to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Relief Settlement or through the embassy itself in Kg Rimba. Asked on the contributions from some 200 Myanmar nationals currently residing in Brunei and work as doctors, engineers and some as workers, the ambassador said they are also welcome to contribute clothing, medicines and useful items as well as cash donation.

Meanwhile RTB reported yesterday that all staff at the Brunei Embassy and their family members in Myanmar is safe and sound and two Brunei nationals now in Myanmar have contacted them directly.

This was revealed by Pehin Datu Inderasugara Brigadier General (R) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof, Brunei Ambassador to the Union of Myanmar. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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