The Government and the Macao public are thankful to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Macao Garrison for the efficient support provided in relief work in the aftermath of Typhoon Hato.
The PLA Macao Garrison concluded at 8am today its mission. It was the first time – since the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) – that the PLA Macao Garrison provided assistance to the Government in relief work related to natural disasters.
The on-the-ground assistance from the PLA Macao Garrison effectively speeded the restoration of Macao’s normal community life in the aftermath of Typhoon Hato. The Government and the Macao public highly value the active support from the well-equipped and well-disciplined PLA soldiers, who bravely overcame all difficulties, working diligently in scorching heat during the day and in low-light conditions during the night.
The PLA Macao Garrison soldiers worked side by side with Macao’s public safety and security personnel and members of the public during the past three days. Support provided by the PLA Macao Garrison included: helping to clean up waste and debris from 11 areas of the city most affected by Typhoon Hato; removing the equivalent to 700 truckloads of waste; and the removal of approximately 680 fallen tree trunks or damaged trees.
The Government and the Macao public express their heartfelt gratitude to the Central Government for its support, and to the PLA Macao Garrison for its assistance.
Following approval by the Central Government of a Macao Government request, some 1,000 troops from the PLA Macao Garrison took part – since 25 August – in Government-led relief work to alleviate the impact of Typhoon Hato.
The Chief Executive’s request for support from the PLA Macao Garrison was in line with the Basic Law of the Macao SAR and the Garrison Law of the Macao SAR.
Typhoon Hato – the strongest recorded storm in Macao for 53 years – struck Macao on 23 August, causing 10 human fatalities, injuring some 240 people and severely impacting community life in the city.