The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday set up a crisis management cell to help Pakistani nationals affected by the devastating earthquake of 7.7 in size that hit Myanmar and parts of Thailand, killing over 150 people and injuring hundreds more.
In an official statement, the Foreign Office expressed solidarity with the people of Myanmar and Thailand in the wake of what it described as an “unprecedented natural accident.”
The Ministry has instructed Pakistani embassies in Yangon and Bangkok to provide all necessary support and relief to nationals in the regions concerned.
A dedicated crisis management unit (CMU) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad has also been activated to monitor the situation and coordinate the efforts to support Pakistanis in need.
Emergency contact numbers are supplied
The Foreign Office shared emergency contact information for Pakistani citizens currently in Myanmar and Thailand:
Embassy by Pakistan in Yangon
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Mr. Anwar Zeb (Charge D’Affaires): +959880922880
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Mr. Muhammad Shoaib (adviser): +959448999967
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Mr. Ali Sher (Consular Assistant): +959457099977
Embassy by Pakistan in Bangkok
Crisis Management Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad
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Phone: 051-9207887
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E -mail: [email protected]
Earthquake details and demand
The powerful earthquake hit near Myanmar’s ancient capital, Mandalay, around noon on Friday at a low depth of 10 kilometers, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). It was followed by one by 6.4 force afterhock minutes later.
State TV company MRTV reported at least 144 fatalities and 732 injuries in Myanmar, with Mandalay – a city of 1.5 million and the country’s former royal capital – suffering from the damage. Buildings, bridges and roads were greatly damaged, while rescue operations continued in several areas.
In neighboring Thailand, at least nine people were killed in Bangkok, where a 33-story building under construction collapsed. Rescuers continued to search for survivors trapped under the rubble.
The Foreign Office repeated Pakistan’s support to the affected countries and insured Pakistani citizens that consular teams were in standby to provide immediate relief where needed.
