The Philippines has expressed readiness to deploy another humanitarian contingent to Myanmar following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that has claimed over 3,300 lives.
In a statement, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno assured that if Myanmar requests further assistance, the country is prepared to send a second humanitarian team to replace the initial Philippine contingent set to return on April 12.
Nepomuceno added that Filipinos seeking repatriation may be accommodated during the return of the initial response team to the Philippines.
The first Philippine humanitarian team, composed of 91 members, is currently providing medical aid and participating in search and rescue operations in areas struck by the powerful earthquake.
According to the OCD’s latest update, Philippine Air Force Lt. Col. Erwen Diploma, commander of the contingent, visited the site of the collapsed Jade City Hotel, where the Philippine Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team is working alongside teams from Myanmar, Vietnam, and Indonesia to locate potential victims trapped under the rubble.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT) from the Visayas has started delivering free medical check-ups and distributing medicine in coordination with Myanmar’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Information.
Despite facing challenges such as limited communication and extreme heat, the Philippine search and rescue team has been able to conduct its operations effectively.
Recovery efforts at the Jade City Hotel have been delayed by heavy debris, but all Filipino personnel remain accounted for and in good health.
The Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent reaffirmed its commitment to supporting communities in Myanmar affected by the earthquake.