Myanmar has turned down an offer of assistance from Taiwanese search-and-rescue teams after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the nation on Friday last week, saying other international aid is sufficient, the National Fire Agency said yesterday.
More than 1,700 have been killed and 3,400 injured in the quake that struck near the central Myanmar city of Mandalay early on Friday afternoon, followed minutes later by a magnitude 6.7 aftershock.
Worldwide, 13 international search-and-rescue teams have been deployed, with another 13 teams mobilizing, the agency said.
Photo courtesy of the National Fire Agency via CNA
Taiwan’s search-and-rescue teams were on standby, but have since been told to stand down, as international resources have been deemed sufficient, it said.
After seeing the agency’s announcement, many Burmese took to social media to thank Taiwan for its willingness to provide disaster relief.
However, they also said they “cannot understand” why the Taiwanese teams were turned away, as they have extensive experience in earthquake relief.
Myanmar’s military junta has allowed access to Chinese teams, but denied those from Taiwan, they said.
Myanmar still has many areas that need immediate disaster relief, a Burmese master’s student at National Chi Nan University said.
She said she contacted family and friends in Myanmar yesterday, who reported that some areas have “the stench of death” with time running out to save people due to a shortage of rescue personnel.
She said she is searching for reliable donation channels and non-governmental organiztions to ensure that money donated would go directly to those in need, adding that she hopes Taiwan and the international community would continue to keep eyes on Myanmar and provide the help it desperately needs.
National Taiwan Normal University Division of Preparatory Programs for Overseas Chinese Students Student Union president Liao Ming-tung (廖明東) said he has friends and family who died in the earthquake.
His home country is in desperate need of excavation equipment and rescue personnel, as many are trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings, he said.
Every second lost could have been used to save lives, he added.
Liao said he hopes that international rescue workers and compassionate people worldwide would come to Myanmar’s aid during the current “golden window” to rescue survivors.
Moreover, post-disaster efforts, including relocating displaced survivors and rebuilding infrastructure, would require continued international aid, he added.
Even if Taiwanese rescue teams cannot enter, hopefully the Taiwanese government would still provide assistance where possible, said a student surnamed Chu (瞿), who came to Taiwan from Myanmar nine years ago.
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