Myanmar: The death toll from a devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28 has now exceeded 3,300, according to state media reports on Saturday. The disaster, which caused widespread destruction, has left thousands of people injured and many others still missing.
In the latest figures released, the earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.7, has resulted in 3,354 deaths, 4,508 injuries, and 220 individuals still unaccounted for. The full impact of the disaster is far-reaching, with the United Nations estimating that more than three million people have been affected by the catastrophe, further exacerbating the ongoing challenges from Myanmar’s prolonged civil conflict.
Survivors, many of whom have lost their homes, remain stranded in precarious conditions. With buildings reduced to rubble, many have been forced to sleep outdoors, either due to the collapse of their homes or because of fears that remaining structures might also fall.
The situation is dire, prompting calls from international organizations for urgent humanitarian assistance. Tom Fletcher, the UN’s top aid official, visited Mandalay, near the earthquake’s epicenter, on Saturday, describing the devastation as “staggering” and stressing the critical need for global support to address the ongoing crisis.
The tragic event comes at a time when Myanmar is already grappling with severe internal unrest following the 2021 military coup that ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Although a temporary ceasefire was declared on Wednesday, the military junta has continued to launch attacks, further complicating aid efforts.
Myanmar’s crumbling infrastructure, compounded by years of civil strife, has hampered the ability of international relief teams to provide assistance. Despite these challenges, neighboring countries such as China, Russia, and India were among the first to deploy rescue teams and offer aid. The United States, a key player in global disaster relief, has pledged an additional $7 million to assist Myanmar, on top of the $2 million already allocated.
As the region continues to recover from the devastating earthquake, the international community is facing increasing pressure to provide immediate and sustained support to Myanmar, a nation already struggling with complex humanitarian and political challenges.
