China ready to help flooding Myanmar

KALAY, Myanmar - China is ready to provide assistance for the flooding areas across Myanmar, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Hong Liang told a press conference in Kalay township of Sagaing Region on Monday.

Rescue boats have been arranged to contribute in facilitating residents' transportation in flood-hit areas, Hong Liang said, adding that China will also help in reconstruction of destroyed schools and infrastructures in those areas.

On the same day, a rescue mission led by Ambassador Hong Liang handed the first batch of donations covering 1,545 families in Kalay township in Sagaing Region, which will be followed by another batch of donation covering 20,000 families in Sittway, Myanmar's western Rakhine State on Tuesday, the press release from the Chinese Embassy to Myanmar said.

Hong Liang has dispatched another group of Chinese diplomats to carry out rescue mission in central Magway Region within the same week, the release said, adding that a special family rescue package has been designed to provide the flood-stricken people with daily necessities.

The total fund of the program for Rakhine State as well as Sagaing and Magway regions stands about $300,000.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, about 850,600 acres (344,493 hectares) of farmlands were submerged, of which Rakhine state suffered the most with over 260, 000 acres ( 105,300 hectares).

Since June, heavy monsoon rains have left at least 47 people dead and affected more than 210,000 others in 12 out of Myanmar's 14 states and regions, according to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.