Myanmar president meets Chinese rescue team in flood-hit state

YANGON - Myanmar President U Thein Sein on Thursday met a 10-member Chinese Blue Sky Rescue (BSR) team in Myanmar's western Rakhine State, one of the four declared disaster zones, according to the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar.

During his inspection tour in the flood-hit areas of Rakhine state, U Thein Sein discussed progress in relief operations launched by the team.

The team arrived in Yangon Tuesday to extend helping hand to Myanmar people affected by severe flooding, said the embassy.

The second and third batches of Chinese rescue teams are standing by to be deployed if the situation calls for, the BSR, Chinese largest non-governmental humanitarian organization, said.

The Chinese Embassy here has also called on Chinese enterprises investing in the Southeast Asian country to extend aid to flood victims and coordinate for joint efforts in the rescue operation.

With the relief aid worth $300,000, the Chinese flood relief mission, led by Ambassador Hong Liang, has visited flood-hit areas of Sagaing region and Rakhine state. Officials from the embassy will also proceed to Magway Region on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has announced offering emergency relief aid worth 10 million yuan ($1.63 million) to help Myanmar's flood victims.

The aid includes 100 motorboats to be sent to flood-hit areas as soon as possible.

According to Myanmar's Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, death toll from the severe flooding across the country has reached at least 69 with nearly 270,000 people affected so far.