20 November 2013 - The Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar informed the Embassy of the Philippines in Yangon that it is donating US$100,000 in humanitarian assistance to reflect the goodwill and compassion of the people of Myanmar towards the people of the Philippines on the extensive loss of lives and properties affected by the typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that hit the Philippines on November 08.

On November 11, Myanmar President U Thein Sein said in his message to President Benigno S. Aquino III, “On behalf of the people of Myanmar and on my own behalf, I wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy to Your Excellency and, through you, to the bereaved families of those affected by the natural disaster.”

A similar message of sympathy was extended by Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin to his Philippine counterpart Secretary Albert F. del Rosario where he said,  “I have learnt with great distress the news about the recent devastating Typhoon Haiyan.”

Like the Philippines, Myanmar is not unfamiliar to natural calamities as the country experiences frequent flooding during the annual monsoon season.  The country also understands the enormous tasks of rebuilding and rehabilitating damaged communities,  having  gone through similar challenges in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in 2008, which killed  around 138,000 people and displaced thousands of families in the Irrawady Delta. At the ASEAN-UN pledging session in Yangon at that time, the Philippines was among those who actively ramped up support for Myanmar.

Earlier this month, the Myanmar government also donated Fifty Thousand U.S. Dollars (US$50,000) in humanitarian aid as a consequence of the powerful earthquake that struck central Philippines on 15 October 2013. END