Pasukan Mencari dan Menyelamat Khas Malaysia (Smart) bagi membantu mangsa gempa bumi di Myanmar menamatkan operasi dan pulang ke tanah air, hari ini.

Menteri Luar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan berkata, selain tempoh operasi mencari dan menyelamat (SAR) oleh Smart tamat, ia perlu dihentikan kerana mereka tidak lagi menjumpai mangsa hidup yang terperangkap di bawah runtuhan bencana alam itu.

“Smart kita jumpa seorang sahaja masih hidup dan yang lainnya semua telah meninggal dunia,” katanya kepada Bernama sebelum mengakhiri lawatan rasmi untuk misi kemanusiaan ke Myanmar, kelmarin.

Misi kemanusiaan sehari itu turut diketuai bersama rakan sejawatnya dari Thailand, Maris Sangiampongsa.

Beliau berkata, Pengerusi Majlis Pentadbiran Negara (SAC) Jeneral Kanan Min Aung Hlaing dan Menteri Luar Myanmar U Than Shwe turut menzahirkan penghargaan kepada Malaysia atas kecekapan Smart melaksanakan operasi SAR di negara itu selain penyaluran bantuan kemanusiaan yang lain.

ASEAN countries, especially Malaysia, hope the military ruling Myanmar will extend the ceasefire beyond the previously announced period so that relief and recovery efforts can continue after the earthquake.

Following the devastating 7.7magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, the junta announced a three-week ceasefire until April 22.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia and Asean welcomed the announcement of the ceasefire.

He said it needed to be extended, taking into account the extent of the destruction caused by the earthquake and the need for long-term humanitarian assistance, for the security and wellbeing of the people of Myanmar.

“We are very happy with the announcement because in this crisis situation, this country (Myanmar) is facing a catastrophe.

“Do not continue with all the conflicts. The most important thing is how the Myanmar people can be rescued and receive assistance,” he said at a press conference before concluding a humanitarian mission to Myanmar here on Saturday.

Earlier, Mohamad and his Thai counterpart, Maris Sangiampongsa, jointly led a humanitarian aid mission to Myanmar in response to the earthquake that struck the central region of the country and its surrounding areas, claiming thousands of lives.

Mohamad, who is chairman of the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, also expressed hope that the ceasefire could be extended to ensure rescue teams from Malaysia and other Asean countries currently in Myanmar could provide assistance.

“If there are things that we see that could threaten the safety of our teams, I will not hesitate to ask our Asean counterparts to review our presence in Myanmar.”

He also proposed that the humanitarian ceasefire served as a precursor for wider, inclusive dialogue among all Myanmar stakeholders, consistent with the objectives of the Asean’s Five-Point Consensus.

During the mission, Mohamad and Maris held meetings with State Administrative Council chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Myanmar Foreign Minister U Than Shwe.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said during the meeting, Mohamad, on behalf of Asean, conveyed Asean’s condolences and unwavering support to the people of Myanmar.

“He also reaffirmed Asean’s collective commitment to continue channelling immediate, effective assistance and long-term support for the recovery efforts of the affected communities.”

It added that as part of Malaysia’s commitment to humanitarian assistance, Mohamad handed over 15 tonnes of humanitarian aid upon arrival in the capital here.

The aid was handed over to the Asean Coordinated Relief Centre for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management (AHA Centre), which coordinates Asean’s contributions with Myanmar authorities.

The aid was sent via an Asean-coordinated relief flight operated by the Royal Malaysian Air Force from the Asean Disaster Emergency Logistics System warehouse in Subang, Malaysia.

The third flight carrying additional aid is scheduled to arrive here on April 7.

Malaysia’s humanitarian contribution includes an allocation of RM10 million from the government and the deployment of 50 members of the Special Search and Rescue Team of Malaysia (Smart). The team, stationed in the Sagaing region, has provided vital support to the immediate search-and-rescue (SAR) efforts.

Before leaving Myanmar, Mohamad received a briefing from the AHA Centre representative here, who confirmed that the humanitarian operation had shifted from the SAR phase to the recovery phase.

The Foreign Ministry said the humanitarian mission also reaffirmed Asean unity and coordinated regional action, as well as reflected Asean’s strong unity and solidarity, especially in the face of challenging situations. This also demonstrates Asean’s ability to respond swiftly and integratedly in humanitarian crises.

“Malaysia as the Asean chair will continue to work closely with other member states, the AHA Centre and international humanitarian partners to ensure that the assistance delivered is timely.”

KUALA LUMPUR: Members of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) were overcome with sorrow during their mission in Myanmar, as they retrieved the bodies of children from beneath the debris of a collapsed school building.

What was meant to be a place of learning became a scene of heartbreak, making the two-day operation in the Sagaing region one of the most emotionally difficult for the team.

In a Facebook post, SMART said the operation, led by officer PB Avlyanie Moidi with the help of local rescuers, was carried out non-stop in the race to find victims.

“The bodies of the victims were found buried under rubble and concrete as deep as 3m. Three victims were extricated.

“The team extends its deepest condolences to the families.”

The Assessment, Search and Rescue Level 5 (ASR5) phase, the final stage of operations focused on recovering deceased victims and thoroughly checking all possible voids, will be continued by local rescue teams.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who ended his official visit to Myanmar on Saturday, told Bernama that the SMART team would end its operations and return home today.

He added that the search-andrescue (SAR) operation by SMART was stopped because no more survivors had been found trapped under the rubble of the natural disaster.

The one-day humanitarian mission was led by his Thai counterpart, Maris Saengiampongsa.

Mohamad said National Administrative Council chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Myanmar Foreign Minister U Than Shwe, during a meeting, expressed their appreciation to Malaysia for SMART’s efficiency in carrying out the SAR operation in the country, as well as the distribution of humanitarian aid.

Mohamad said SMART was sent to Sagaing because the team had adequate SAR equipment.

“In fact, I was informed that the people there have so much respect and admiration for our SMART team that they have asked our team not to return to Malaysia,” he said.

Malaysia had sent two Royal Malaysian Air Force A400M aircraft carrying 50 Smart personnel and officers, as well as teams under the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to Myanmar for the SAR operation on March 30.

SMART had successfully pulled out seven victims, including one who was still alive under the rubble of the earthquake in Sagaing since last Monday.

RAIN is compounding misery and presenting new hurdles for relief efforts yesterday in Myanmar, where state media reported the death toll from a devastating earthquake has risen to nearly 3,500 people.

The 7.7-magnitude quake struck on March 28, razing buildings, cutting off power and destroying bridges and roads across the country.

Damage has been particularly severe in the city of Sagaing near the epicentre, as well as in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second city with more than 1.7 million residents.

State media in the military junta-led country now say that the earthquake has caused 3,471 confirmed deaths and injured 4,671 people, while 214 remain missing.

With people either having lost their homes entirely or reluctant to spend time in unstable structures, many residents have been sleeping outside in tents.

Around 45 minutes of heavy rain and winds lashed tent cities on Saturday evening in Mandalay, according to the United Nations Development Programme.

People and their belongings were soaked because of a shortage of tarpaulins, Tun Tun, a programme specialist at the UN agency, said.

There are also fears destroyed buildings will subside and complicate body recovery efforts.

Following less intense showers yesterday morning, the temperature is due to climb to 37°C.

Aid experts warn that rainy conditions and scorching heat increase the risk of disease outbreaks at outdoor camps where victims were in temporary shelter.

UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said that food, water and power repairs were needed urgently. Many people in the area were still without shelter, he said.

“We need to get tents and hope to survivors as they rebuild their shattered lives.”

Meanwhile, Thailand and Malaysia are closely coordinating with Myanmar to mobilise international assistance.

Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said he had agreed with Malaysia, the Asean chair, to coordinate with Myanmar on the delivery of international aid, with the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian

Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) serving as the central coordinator.

“In the initial phase, Thailand will focus on the affected areas in Mandalay, while Malaysia will concentrate on areas in Sagaing,” he posted on X yesterday.

On Saturday, Maris and his Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, jointly led a humanitarian mission to Naypyidaw.

Maris expressed his appreciation to Mohamad for the invitation to join the Asean humanitarian mission to Myanmar.

He said the purpose of the visit was to discuss ways to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Myanmar people.

“During the visit, Thai and Malaysian delegations held discussions with the Myanmar authorities, the AHA Centre and UN agencies, which provided valuable information necessary for mobilising aid to the affected population.”

KUALA LUMPUR: While many are still celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri, a group of university students have chosen to forgo their festive holidays to assist victims of last Tuesday's gas pipeline fire, currently sheltering at the temporary relief centre (PPS) at Masjid Putra Heights, Subang Jaya.

Under the Higher Education Ministry's Ihsan Madani squad initiative, volunteers from the Malaysian Universities Volunteer Council (MASKUM) have been on-site since Wednesday, tirelessly helping those affected.

Led by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) student representative council member Ridhwan Syahir, 23, the 20-member group described the mission as an invaluable experience.

"By joining this mission, we can put ourselves in their shoes and truly understand their situation – especially during Hari Raya Aidilfitri," Ridhwan shared.

Students from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) also contributed manpower and distributed supplies, including food and baby kits.

Ikmal Daniel Ridza Abdu, 21, expressed the importance of contributing alongside multiple agencies, while Sharina Erna Suara, 20, was thrilled to volunteer for the first time.

"I'm very happy to give back to the community although the incident didn't happen in my home state of Sabah. We are all part of Malaysia," Sharina said.

As of last night, 382 victims from 99 families remain housed at the PPS Masjid Putra Heights.– BERNAMA