President U Htin Kyaw urged at the World Red Cross Day ceremony held in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday that with the occurrence of disasters on the rise, Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) will have to do more for first aid, disaster preparedness, response and reduction.

According to the World Disasters Report 2016 by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, over 1900 million people have been affected, and out of that figure over 700,000 have died from various disasters in the last 10 years, from 2006 to 2015. Of these 79 percent of the people facing those disasters lived in Asia with 12 million victims and nearly 140,000 deaths in Myanmar.

“Based on those facts, in Myanmar, 1.13 people out of every 100 victims died. Myanmar is found to be high in disaster death rate if compared to other Southeast Asian countries,” President U Htin Kyaw said.

The world has recognized MRCS for its financial management in Myanmar after the 2008 cyclone Nargis, former president of MRCS Professor Dr.  Tha Hla Shwe said.

The MRCS plans to increase its permanent membership fee to K100,000, once the new rules are stipulated.

MRCS President Professor Dr Daw Mya Thu told The Myanmar Times that previously the permanent membership fee was only K1000.

“We are trying to get approval for the increase. Rules are being drafted. When the types of memberships in the appendix have been confirmed, membership, registration and annual fees will be decided and declared,” she said after the World Red Cross Day ceremony yesterday.

There are now 40,000 to 60,000 brigade members and about 150,000 permanent members in MRCS.

“Some people have started paying K100,000 because they trust us. That membership fee will be deposited for interest, and we will use only the interest. Whatever the Red Cross does, it does to help people and thus people will always praise for the good deeds done,” said the MRCS president. 

– Translation by Zaw Nyunt