Singapore stands ready to deliver more assistance for quake-hit Myanmar: FM Vivian Balakrishnan

Key Concepts:

• Humanitarian assistance to Myanmar following a major earthquake.
• Singapore's response: deployment of the SCDF Ops-Lionheart team, fundraising by the Singapore Red Cross, and government matching of donations.
• Urgent and immediate humanitarian assistance.

Singapore's Response to the Myanmar Earthquake

The speaker acknowledges the deep compassion Singaporeans feel for the people of Myanmar following a devastating earthquake, described as potentially the worst to hit the country in a century, leading to unprecedented damage.

Deployment of SCDF Ops-Lionheart Team

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has deployed its Ops-Lionheart team, consisting of approximately 80 personnel. This team arrived in Naypyidaw (Nepidor in the transcript) the day before the speech. The Ops-Lionheart team is a specialized urban search and rescue (USAR) team trained to respond to disasters, particularly earthquakes, and is equipped to handle complex rescue operations.

Singapore Red Cross Fundraising Campaign

The Singapore Red Cross has launched a public fundraising campaign to support the relief efforts. They have initially allocated $150,000.

Government Matching of Donations

The Singapore government will match the public donations raised by the Singapore Red Cross with an additional $150,000. This matching grant aims to encourage greater public participation and amplify the impact of the fundraising efforts.

Use of Funds

The funds raised will be used to provide urgent and immediate humanitarian assistance to the victims of the earthquake in Myanmar. This assistance likely includes providing essential supplies such as food, water, shelter, medical aid, and other necessities to those affected by the disaster.

Future Assistance

Singapore is prepared to deliver further tranches of humanitarian assistance in the coming days, depending on the evolving situation in Myanmar. This indicates a commitment to providing ongoing support and adapting the response based on the needs identified on the ground.

Notable Quotes:

• "Singaporeans feel deep compassion for the people in Myanmar."
• "The extent of damage I'm sure is unprecedented."
• "These funds will be used for urgent and immediate humanitarian assistance."

Conclusion:

Singapore is actively responding to the earthquake in Myanmar through the deployment of a specialized rescue team, public fundraising efforts led by the Singapore Red Cross, and government financial support. The focus is on providing immediate humanitarian assistance and remaining prepared to offer further support as the situation develops. The speaker emphasizes the compassion of Singaporeans and their willingness to contribute to the relief efforts.