Finland to provide expert assistance in Southeast Asia

The earthquake and its aftershocks in Myanmar on Friday 28 March have caused extensive damage. By decision of the Ministry of the Interior, Finland will send an expert to Bangkok through the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism to support the coordination of assistance to Myanmar. The Finnish expert will be posted to Myanmar for two weeks (2 to 15 April 2025).

Armed groups have been fighting in Myanmar for a long time. Due to the difficult security situation, the experts will be staying in Bangkok in Thailand.

The earthquake has affected areas in conflict zones, making it more difficult to deliver assistance. Experts will coordinate the delivery of assistance and support from Europe to the region. Experts will cooperate with aid organisations to establish the need for assistance and communicate it to the EU Member States and other countries participating in the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, including Finland. The Ministry of the Interior monitors the development of the situation and requests for assistance. 

Finland is an active provider of expert assistance 

Any country can request assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism if it faces a crisis that it cannot handle alone. Assistance provided through the Civil Protection Mechanism is drawn from national resources. The assistance may take the form of specialised rescue teams or expert and material assistance.

The Ministry of the Interior decides on the provision of international assistance in the field of rescue services, that is, civil protection. The Emergency Services Academy Finland is the employer of seconded experts and is also responsible for the training, recruitment and logistics of experts and the practical implementation of international civil protection operations.

Inquiries:
Pauliina Eskola, Director of Rescue Services, Accident Prevention and International Cooperation, tel. +358 295 488 263, firstname.lastname@gov.fi, Ministry of the Interior
Kaius Kiiras, Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 319, firstname.lastname@gov.fi, Ministry of the Interior
Jukka Räsänen, Planning Officer, International Civil Protection, Emergency Services Academy Finland, tel. +358 295 453 689, firstname.lastname@pelastusopisto.fi