Construction and repair of earthquake-damaged buildings in Myanmar must begin only after proper soil testing: Vice-Senior General Soe Win

The Star

27-04-2025

NAY PYI TAW: The National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) convened a meeting yesterday at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement in Nay Pyi Taw to assess ongoing earthquake response efforts and lay out plans for reconstruction.
The meeting was chaired by Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Chairman of the NDMC, Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council, and Deputy Prime Minister. In his address, he reaffirmed the government's commitment to effective and resilient rebuilding in affected regions.
Vice-Senior General Soe Win emphasised that construction and repair of earthquake-damaged buildings must begin only after proper soil testing is conducted.
Soil conditions are to be reviewed in coordination with technical experts to ensure the safety and sustainability of new buildings. Particular attention will be given to avoiding construction on or near known earthquake fault lines.
He reiterated that all new structures should be capable of withstanding earthquakes of up to magnitude 8 on the Richter scale. Existing buildings must be assessed for structural integrity and reinforced as necessary to meet the same standard.
The government has ordered immediate relief operations in affected areas, the swift distribution of international assistance and the collection of data on the needs of affected populations and public employees. Authorities are also tasked with drafting both short-term and long-term plans to repair roads, bridges, and restore transportation links disrupted by the earthquake. Temporary housing is to be provided for displaced government staff while permanent housing is developed.
The NDMC confirmed that its operations are being carried out in accordance with the Disaster Management Law and established rules. The committee detailed its multi-level approach to assessment, search, and rescue operations. Initial assessments focus on evaluating conditions and risks across the affected regions. Based on this information, search and rescue efforts are organised and executed, prioritising evacuation of those in distress and rescuing individuals trapped in collapsed buildings.
Vice Senior-General Soe Win stated that modern technology is being used across disaster sites to ensure no survivors are overlooked. Manual debris removal, supported by machinery, has been completed in Nay Pyi Taw, Bago Region, and Sagaing Region, while similar operations are still in progress in Mandalay Region.
As of April 25, the earthquake has claimed 3,763 lives, left 5,107 people injured, and 110 still missing. In the immediate aftermath, the Prime Minister appealed for international assistance, prompting rapid deployment of global relief teams.
The International Medical Corps has established temporary hospitals and clinics in Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, and the Nay Pyi Taw Council area, offering emergency treatment and healthcare services. A total of 337 medical personnel from six countries are working alongside Ministry of Health staff in the affected regions.
On April 19, the Head of State visited heavily affected areas in Sagaing and Mandalay Regions, offering support to communities and inspecting reconstruction efforts. He instructed local authorities to expedite the restoration of damaged religious and heritage sites, including pagodas and temples, and to provide financial aid to select private high-rise building owners.
The Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring timely recovery and the effective use of resources to help affected communities rebuild.
Initial assessments as of April 24 reveal widespread damage across 10 regions and states, including Nay Pyi Taw Council. The destruction includes 63,854 houses, 6,752 schools, 5,474 monasteries and nunneries, 5,342 pagodas, 613 other religious structures, 576 hospitals and clinics, 56 railways, 271 roads, 188 expressways, 586 dams and embankments, 172 bridges, and 353 electrical transformers.
Authorities have categorised the damage into short-term, medium-term, and long-term priorities. The Deputy Prime Minister stated that the recovery strategy will require phased implementation and sustained coordination for long-term rebuilding efforts.
The March 28 earthquake impacted 128,965 households and 629,206 individuals across the affected areas. According to a Disaster Management Center (DMC) report on April 23, 48,656 people were relocated to 135 relief camps, while 159,239 people relocated independently. An estimated 421,311 people remain in their homes despite the damage.
Government inspection teams have assessed damage to staff housing using a three-colour classification system - blue, orange and red - recognised internationally. Buildings marked orange and red are undergoing further inspection with specialised equipment. Affected families have either been relocated through ministry-organised plans or their own arrangements. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised the need to ensure timely provision of temporary shelters for those still in need.
To address this, DMC has begun constructing temporary shelters and modular housing units for displaced families. As of April 23, a total of 155 aftershocks had been recorded, mostly below magnitude 4, with only one above magnitude 5. No further aftershocks have been reported since April 23.
In an effort to prevent misinformation, authorities have arrested an individual who spread false information about the earthquake on social media, creating unnecessary panic among the public.
Ministry of Construction explained that before the earthquake, nine cement factories across the country produced a combined total of 30,700 tonnes, or 614,000 bags, of cement per day. However, post-earthquake disruptions reduced output, with only six factories currently producing 17,100 tonnes, or 342,000 bags, daily.
Efforts are now underway to boost production. By May 15, daily output is expected to reach 22,100 tonness, equivalent to 442,000 bags. Further expansion is planned for September, with production projected to rise to 32,100 tonnes, or 642,000 bags, per day.
To support rebuilding efforts in disaster-affected areas, the government has set the price of one bag of cement at 17,000 kyats. Detailed calculations have been made to determine the daily production capacity of each factory, ensuring efficient distribution of available supplies.
Priority distribution is being given to the Sagaing Region, which suffered some of the most severe damage in the earthquake. Cement from currently operational factories is being sent to assist reconstruction efforts there.
Vice-Senior General Soe Win stressed the importance of coordination between the Cement Distribution Committee and the National Disaster Management Authority to ensure timely and effective delivery of materials to affected areas.
In addition, the Ministry of Energy needs to submit in advance the distribution plan for the 50,000 tonnes of fuel (gasoline and diesel) that will arrive from China soon. The Transport and Communications Committee and the Donation Receiving and Distribution Committee need to coordinate the transportation of container modulars and other supplies that will arrive by sea from Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay, he added. - Eleven Media/ANN