Singapore sends second wave of aid to quake-hit Myanmar

Some 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid were sent to Myanmar on April 4 to help communities there affected by a 7.7-magnitude earthquake, in the second tranche of its kind.

The aid was sent via two Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 transport aircraft and coordinated by the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (Changi RHCC), said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) on April 4.

The latest tranche means the Republic has delivered more than 19 tonnes in humanitarian relief to the country since it was struck by the quake on March 28.

The first tranche of aid was delivered by RSAF on April 2 and comprised essential relief supplies contributed by the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management.

The second round of aid supplies included water filters, potable water, potable water bags, canned food, meal packs, and tentage to support emergency shelter and sustenance needs.

For the second delivery, the Changi RHCC partnered with the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) and the Myanmar Red Cross to consolidate more than 10 tonnes of aid contributed by the RSAF, SRC, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, and local non-governmental organisation Relief Singapore.

"This deployment reflects Singapore's continued commitment to providing timely and effective humanitarian assistance in response to regional crises, in close partnership with local stakeholders and organisations," Mindef said.

Humanitarian organisation Mercy Relief announced on April 3 that it has deployed an emergency response team to Yangon to provide relief aid, including emergency shelter, food and water to victims.

Its convoy will travel to affected regions to deliver urgent aid to an estimated 10,000 people.

Myanmar's death toll from the quake crossed 3,000 on April 2, with thousands injured and hundreds more missing.