April 17, 2025
DHAKA – The Armed Forces of Bangladesh have completed a large-scale humanitarian assistance mission in Myanmar, during which a deployed medical team treated 885 patients — including 17 complex surgeries — as part of extensive relief operations in Naypyidaw.
The assistance was launched in response to the March 28 earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand, under the direction of the chief adviser.
According to a press release by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) today, “The medical team, comprising both military and civilian specialist doctors and nurses, carried out medical operations and campaigns at Zabuthiri 50-bed hospital, a 100-bed hospital, and a 1,000-bed General Hospital in Naypyidaw.”
The comprehensive mission included not only medical support but also search and rescue operations and the delivery of emergency relief supplies to affected areas.
In recognition of their extraordinary service, a special reception was held today at the Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka Cantonment.
Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division, Lt Gen S M Kamrul Hassan, presented commemorative crests to each member of the rescue and medical teams.
Earlier at the same venue, Brig Gen Md Alimul Amin, director general of operations and plans at the Armed Forces Division, briefed the media on the scope and execution of the mission.
Heartfelt gratitude was extended to all members of the mission on behalf of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, acknowledging the support provided by the Office of the Chief Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh Embassy in Myanmar, and other partner organisations.
The mission was executed in three coordinated phases, delivering a total of 151.5 metric tonnes of humanitarian aid — one of the largest contributions to Myanmar from any country.
In addition to medical services, Bangladeshi rescue teams undertook critical operations in Naypyidaw, including the recovery of the body of a 68-year-old woman from the rubble of a collapsed four-storey building. Despite the highly unstable condition of the structure, the team completed the operation successfully on April 3.
Following the success, the Myanmar government entrusted the team with retrieving valuable materials from three partially damaged buildings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was completed effectively. The team also assessed 45 damaged buildings — including residential complexes, clinics, and shopping malls — for structural safety and risk mitigation.
In collaboration with Myanmar authorities, they formulated a comprehensive rescue plan for the Central Fire Service Station, which was later executed by local forces.
The ISPR release further said that Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Shwe personally visited the Bangladeshi rescue team and hosted a luncheon in their honour. High-level coordination meetings were held with senior Myanmar officials and public representatives to streamline ongoing support efforts.
Upon completion of the mission, the Government of Myanmar hosted a formal farewell ceremony on April 10, attended by the Vice Chairman of the State Council, Vice Senior General Soe Win, and Union Ministers from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Health, and Sports. The returning Bangladeshi teams arrived home aboard a Bangladesh Navy vessel on April 15.
“The humanitarian assistance mission demonstrates Bangladesh’s compassion for its neighbours and reflects the nation’s enduring values. This mission has further strengthened bilateral ties and showcased the Armed Forces’ unwavering readiness to serve at home and abroad under the Government’s directive,” the ISPR release added.