PUTRAJAYA, March 29 (Bernama) – Malaysia will deploy a 50-member Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) team to Myanmar on Sunday (March 30) to support ongoing rescue and relief operations following the powerful earthquake that struck central Myanmar, northern Thailand, and parts of southern China.
In a statement on Saturday, the Foreign Ministry said the team—dispatched through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA)—will comprise one contingent commander and 49 rescue personnel.
The deployment consolidates what was initially planned as two separate missions, based on NADMA’s latest operational assessment.
“By deploying the full team in a single coordinated mission, Malaysia aims to maximise impact and efficiency, ensuring that aid reaches priority areas swiftly,” the statement said.
The Foreign Ministry added that it is facilitating all necessary visa and logistical arrangements, with the Malaysian Embassy in Yangon providing ground support and coordinating with local authorities and humanitarian partners.
Death Toll Rises in Myanmar
According to the Information Team of Myanmar’s State Administration Council, the death toll from the earthquake in the Mandalay region has risen to 694, with 1,670 injured and 68 still missing as of Saturday morning.
The disaster also triggered widespread infrastructure damage, including a collapse of power supply systems and disruptions to mobile networks, with some areas in Yangon experiencing complete signal loss.
Many buildings were destroyed, and rescue efforts are ongoing, international media reported.
— BERNAMA —
