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Myanmar

Myanmar Red Cross Society provides emergency assistance during Meiktila unrest

Red Cross volunteers are providing emergency support to people affected by the recent outbreaks of communal violence in the Meiktila Township, Mandalay Region. With many hurt and injured during the violence, Red Cross volunteers have been providing first aid services and have also referred 32 patients to Meiktila General Hospital. Red Cross ambulances have also been used to transfer more serious cases to local healthcare facilities.

“22 trained Red Cross volunteers have been responding since the onset of the unrest” said U Nay Oo, Second in Commander of Meiktila Red Cross Branch.

“The volunteers have been providing emergency healthcare support and have also been helping to evacuate families to safe places, including the district sport ground”.

Homes and businesses are reported to have been damaged and destroyed during the violence and according to the initial reports, transport and communications networks have also been affected.

To help respond to the immediate needs, the Myanmar Red Cross has dispatched emergency relief items to the affected areas and is planning to support the affected population in consultation with the local authorities.

“Red Cross emergency relief distributions, including family tents, jerry cans and solar lights, will commence in the coming days” said Head of Disaster Management Division, Myanmar Red Cross.