Arab News Japan

TOKYO: SASAKAWA Yohei, the Chairman of the Nippon Foundation and a key figure in international humanitarian efforts, paid a visit to Myanmar’s Chairman of the State Administration Council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, at the Tatmadaw Guesthouse in Nay Pyi Taw.

His visit was to donate rescue and relief supplies, a significant gesture that underscores the Foundation’s commitment to aiding Myanmar in its time of need, as reported by the Global Light of Myanmar.

The Nippon Foundation has committed $3 million in aid for Myanmar quake relief. This aid includes a range of essential relief supplies such as backpacks for carrying necessities, rescue helmets for protection, and gloves for handling debris, all of which are crucial for the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.

Min Aung Hlaing thanked Sasakawa for the donations and help and his promise to donate food and other supplies.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing also explained to Sasakawa the loss and damage caused by the destructive 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28 and the relief efforts and help provided by international rescue squads.

Sasakawa is designated as Japan’s “Special Envoy of the Government of Japan for National Reconciliation in Myanmar.” However, Arab News Japan learned that his recent visit to Myanmar was not in that capacity but as Nippon Foundation Chairman.

As of April 4, the situation in Myanmar remains dire, with 3,354 lives lost, 4,589 injured, and 221 people still missing in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area and the hardest hit regions. In Nay Pyi Taw, the country’s political capital, 511 were reported to have died, while in Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, the death toll stood at 2,053, with 2,691 injured.

The earthquake’s destructive force was felt across Myanmar, with over 20,000 dwellings, 805 office buildings, 115 staff housing buildings, 1,041 schools, 921 monasteries and nunneries, 1,690 pagodas, 312 religious buildings and 48 hospitals and clinics reported damaged or destroyed. This extensive destruction underscores the gravity of the situation in Myanmar.

China, Russia, India, Japan, and others have demonstrated global solidarity by promptly sending rescue teams to Myanmar. This international aid response, including the delayed but still significant contribution from the United States, showcases the unity of nations in times of crisis.