SUBANG: Avlyanie Moidi faced a tough decision, leaving behind her husband and child as she heads to Myanmar for the earthquake rescue mission.
Yet, the Sabahan remains resolute.
Avlyanie, who has served in the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) for four years, is among 50 personnel deployed to Naypyidaw this morning as part of a humanitarian mission and search and rescue (SAR) operation.
She is also the only female rescue personnel in the team.
“I was instructed to prepare at 2pm last Friday. Although I felt sad leaving my family, I am determined because this is a significant responsibility. My husband advised me to take care of myself and stay focused on my duties,” she said when met at the Subang Air Force Base.
The Smart team, operating under the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), was transported on two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Airbus A400M aircraft.
The aircraft, which also carried SAR equipment, including two five-tonne trucks and a four-wheel drive vehicle, departed from the Subang Air Base at 9.30am and 10am.
Meanwhile, Mohd Idris Hassan, another Smart rescuer, said duty took precedence, even if it meant forgoing Aidilfitri celebrations with his family in Tanah Merah, Kelantan.
“I was preparing to return to my hometown when I received the order last Friday. Without hesitation, I rushed to the Smart headquarters within an hour to get ready for deployment to Myanmar.
“In 2023, I declined to join the mission to Türkiye because my wife was unwell. This time, I did not want to miss the opportunity to help those in need. Alhamdulillah, my wife understands that my job requires immediate action,” he said when met at the Subang Air Force Base.
The deployment, known as the MyTeam Relief operation, involves the MAS-01 Smart team, a Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) unit accredited under the United Nations’ International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG).
The team specialises in detecting and rescuing victims trapped under rubble using specialised equipment and techniques such as cutting and breaking, shoring, and rope rescue.
On Friday, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country, with tremors reaching Thailand, Vietnam, and southern China, killing over 1,000 people.
