Chinese rescue team arrives in Myanmar to help flood victims

A man pushes a plastic basin with a child in it as he passes through a flooded street in Min Pyar township of Rakhine State, Myanmar, August 2, 2015. [Photo/IC]

YANGON -- A ten-member Chinese rescue team arrived in Yangon by plane Tuesday to extend helping hand to Myanmar people affected by severe flood which has killed at least 47 people.

The first Blue Sky Rescue Team, the Chinese largest non- governmental humanitarian organization, is the first international rescue team arriving in Myanmar and they will rush to Rakhine State, one of the worst-hit areas, for launching rescue operations, said Zhang Yong, leader of BSR team.

"We come here for rescuing disaster-affected people for the first time as we are neighboring countries and have friendly relationship between the two countries," Zhang said.

The second and third batches of rescue teams are standing ready to provide assistance to flood hit areas if needed after the first team met with the concerned governmental department and observed the current situation there.

Meanwhile, the rescue mission led by Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Hong Liang handed the second batch of donation covering 20, 000 families in Sittway, Myanmar's western Rakhine State on Tuesday after the first one covering 1,545 families in Kalay township in Sagaing Region on Monday.

Another Chinese group will be dispatched to carry on rescue mission in central Magway Region within the same week and a special family rescue package was designed to provide the flood- stricken people with daily necessities.