Earthquake and Natural Disaster Assessment Project for Buildings Begins in Yangon

The Yangon City Development Committee, the Federation of Myanmar Engineers, and the Myanmar Earthquake Committee have jointly launched and are implementing a project to assess buildings in Yangon for earthquake and natural disaster risks. This initiative began as a pilot project on July 1st in the townships of Latha, Pabedan, and Kyauktada, according to the Yangon City Development Committee. A ceremony to introduce this project was held on the morning of July 1st at the Yangon City Hall. This project is crucial for protecting the lives, property, and safety of citizens, and for enhancing the disaster resilience of buildings used by the public. Yangon Mayor U Myo Myint Aung stated that buildings such as hospitals, schools, office buildings, and other public facilities in Yangon will be systematically inspected and assessed for their resistance to earthquakes and natural disasters, and will be categorized and identified according to their risk levels. He added that Yangon is a major city where earthquakes can occur at any time, making it one of the cities that requires the most urgent and prompt action regarding earthquakes. U Khin Maung Thein, Chairman of the Federation of Myanmar Engineers, stated that the Federation of Myanmar Engineers will also provide assistance in response to natural disasters. When assessing the quality of buildings in Yangon, if there are buildings that can be safely used, their condition will be thoroughly inspected, and it will be assessed and analyzed whether there are adequate shelters in emergency situations and how to mitigate disaster impacts, said U Saw Htay Zaw, Vice Chairman of the Myanmar Earthquake Committee. Based on the findings from the inspections in the townships where the pilot project is currently being implemented, necessary maintenance and disaster mitigation plans will be carried out in stages.