On 5 April 2025, the APTERR Council urgently approved a release of 3,500 MT of rice under Tier 3 programme to support emergency relief efforts in Myanmar in the wake of the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake striking the country. The rice assistance comprises contributions from the People’s Republic of China (P.R. China) for 500 MT and the Republic of Korea (ROK) for 3,000 MT.
Dr. Choomjet Karnjanakesorn, General Manager of the APTERR Secretariat, stated that the APTERR Secretariat has been working closely with Myanmar’s Department of Agriculture (DOA) of Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation since the earthquake occurred on 28 March 2025 to ensure APTERR’s readiness for providing assistance to Myanmar during this difficult time.
Upon receiving a request from the DOA on 2 April 2025, the APTERR Secretariat promptly submitted it to the APTERR Council for urgent approval to release 3,500 MT of rice contribution from P.R. China (500 MT) and the ROK (3,000 MT), which have already been stored in Yangon under the pre-positioned stockpiled rice system of Tier 3 for emergency preparedness in Myanmar.
The rice will be immediately mobilised for distribution to the most severely affected areas, including Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, Sagaing Region, Bago Region, Magway Region, Mandalay Region and northeastern Shan State.
The APTERR Secretariat continues to closely monitor the post-earthquake situation in coordinate with the DOA to ensure that the rice distribution is carried out effectively, transparently and credibly, so that all those in need can access to the rice assistance.
Photo credit: Department of Agriculture, Myanmar
