Asian Tigers has advised all partners to contact its local office before shipping into areas of Myanmar affected by Friday’s (March 28) severe earthquake.
The 7.7-magnitude quake struck central Myanmar at 1.15pm local time on Friday, causing more than 2,000 deaths across the country and damage to infrastructure including power networks, major roads, and bridges.
Yangon’s airport is open, but Naypyidaw’s airport is operating at limited capacity after its control tower collapsed. Mandalay airport is currently closed.
In an update email, Ruud von Martels, Director of Business Development at K C Dat (Myanmar) Ltd, part of the Asian Tigers Group, said: ‘Given the severity of the situation, we urge all partners to coordinate with us before forwarding any shipments to affected areas.’
He said shipments into the city of Yangon are unaffected ‘and continue to be cleared and delivered as usual.’
‘While Yangon was fortunate, the hardest-hit areas include Sagaing, Mandalay, and the capital, Naypyidaw,’ he added. ‘Many buildings, particularly in Mandalay, have collapsed, and numerous others are structurally unsafe. Government buildings, including the presidential palace, have also suffered extensive damage. Tragically, the official death toll stands at approximately 2,000, but the actual number is feared to be much higher.’