A deadly earthquake rocked Myanmar on Friday. With an official death toll already past 2,000, the true figure is likely much higher. Many fear the temblor could worsen hunger and disease outbreaks in the country.
An aftershock measuring 6.4 magnitude followed the 7.7 magnitude earthquake. The quake’s epicenter was near Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay. It damaged the city’s airport and roads and downed hundreds of buildings in a swath through the middle of the country.
Myanmar was already one of the most challenging places in the world for aid groups to operate, due to an ongoing civil war. The earthquake’s severe damage to roads, bridges, and hospitals further hampers relief efforts. Power outages, fuel shortages, and spotty communications create problems too.
A lack of heavy machines slows search-and-rescue work. Many look for survivors by hand in heat above 104° Fahrenheit. As of Monday, rescuers were still finding survivors.
Government spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun says that in addition to the dead, 3,400 people were injured. More than 300 are missing. The World Health Organization (WHO) expects those numbers to increase.
Lauren Ellery is deputy director of programs in Myanmar for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). She says groups the IRC works with report that some places are physically cut off by landslides.
“The earthquake’s devastation has overwhelmed health care facilities in the affected areas,” WHO officials add. “There is an urgent need for trauma and surgical care, blood transfusion supplies, anesthetics, essential medicines, and mental health support.”
Apart from the earthquake damage, a civil war roils much of the country. In 2021, the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. That event sparked ongoing armed resistance.
Government forces have lost control of much of Myanmar. Many places were dangerous or impossible for aid groups to reach even before the quake. Fighting has displaced more than three million people, according to the United Nations (UN).
Marcoluigi Corsi coordinates UN help for Myanmar. He says “nearly 20 million” people needed help “even before this earthquake.”
The IRC’s Ellery notes that the area worst hit by the earthquake was already seriously damaged by flooding just last year. With monsoon rains starting in May, finding people shelter could be a major challenge.
International rescue teams from several countries are now on the scene in Myanmar. Rescuers include workers from Russia, China, India, and several Southeast Asian countries.
The European Union, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and others have announced millions of dollars in aid.
The American Embassy says a team of experts is on its way to Myanmar. The embassy also says the United Sates will provide up to $2 million in aid through local humanitarian groups.
Pray for the people of Myanmar and those trying to help them.
