Yangon, Apr 2 (UNI) Myanmar's government will allocate 500 billion kyats (about 238.09 million U.S. dollars) for earthquake relief and rehabilitation efforts, State Administration Council (SAC) Chairman Min Aung Hlaing has said.

The Myanmar leader made the statement at a cash donation ceremony in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday, where well-wishers donated 104.44 billion kyats (49.71 million dollars) in cash and non-cash items worth 12.4 billion kyats (5.9 million dollars), state-owned daily The Global New Light of Myanmar reported.

The contributions were received by the chairman of the national disaster management committee, the SAC vice chairman, council members, and other relevant officials, it added.

Following a 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar Friday, Min Aung Hlaing called for international assistance. In response, rescue teams, medics and nurses from 16 countries and regions have arrived in Myanmar with humanitarian aid and medical supplies as of March 31, it said.

Among the 18 powerful earthquakes that have struck Myanmar, the 7.9-magnitude quake was the second strongest, following an 8.0-magnitude earthquake that hit the country in 1912, according to the local daily Myanma Alinn. UNI XINHUA AKT SSP