State-run media reported that the number of fatalities resulting from last week's major earthquake in Myanmar has increased to 3,455. Meanwhile, UN organizations along with international aid providers have stepped up their emergency response initiatives.
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck a broad region of the nation, resulting in considerable destruction across six areas and states, encompassing the capital city Naypyitaw.
The quake resulted in numerous regions being cut off from power, telecommunication services, and mobile connectivity, alongside damaging roads and bridges, which made it challenging to gauge the full scale of destruction.
This exacerbated an already severe humanitarian crisis caused by the nation's civil conflict, which has led to over three million internal displacements and pushed almost 20 million people towards desperate need, as reported by the United Nations.
The head of the military regime, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, stated that the recent earthquake ranks as the second strongest in the nation's documented history following an 8-magnitude tremor near Mandalay in May 1912.
General Min Aung Hlaing informed the Cabinet ministers on Saturday that the earthquake's casualty count had risen to 3,455 deceased, 4,840 wounded, and 214 people unaccounted for, as reported by the official state broadcaster MRTV.
He mentioned that the quake affected 5,223 structures, including 1,824 educational institutions, 2,752 monk residences within monasteries, 4,817 religious sites such as pagodas and shrines, along with 167 healthcare facilities, 169 bridges, 198 water control barriers, and impacted 184 segments of the nation's principal roadway.
In 2021, Myanmar's military took control by overthrowing the democratically elected administration led by Aung San Suu Kyi, which ignited an armed rebellion. Analysts suggest this insurgency now holds sway over more areas than the military does.
The members of the UN Security Council acknowledged "the necessity to bolster search, aid, and rebuilding initiatives and to significantly increase prompt humanitarian support in reaction to calls for assisting the citizens of Myanmar," stated Jerome Bonnafont, the council’s president, in a release on Friday.
The statement indicated what seemed to be a response to the conflict in Myanmar and worries about potential obstructions or delays from its military administration in providing aid to regions held by opposition groups. It mentioned that the council’s members emphasized "the significance of a secure and favorable setting to facilitate the prompt and efficient provision of essential lifesaving humanitarian support to everyone requiring it, free from interruptions or bias."
On Saturday, Major General Zaw Min Tun, who serves as the spokesperson for the military administration, stated that Prime Ministers and representatives from neighboring nations such as India and Thailand have committed to offering support for both immediate aid and long-term recovery initiatives in regions affected by the earthquake.
“He stated that everybody assisted Myanmar, which had been struck by an earthquake. Everybody felt sympathy. Everybody showed understanding. Everybody expressed willingness to offer aid. It was evident that everyone was collaborating effectively.”
He mentioned that aid was being provided by 18 nations to the impacted regions, with over 60 planes having been deployed to ferry both rescue teams and emergency provisions.
The UK announced an additional allocation of £10 million for the humanitarian effort, as stated by its embassy in Yangon on Saturday. This brings their overall contribution to £25 million.
While accounts of diplomatic actions emphasize aid for earthquake victims, it is recognized that the situation in Myanmar will not be resolved until the conflict ceases. The neighboring countries have taken the lead in attempting to forge a peaceful solution; however, despite these efforts, both the military and their adversaries have yet to demonstrate genuine willingness to engage in talks.
Nevertheless, both the military and various crucial armed resistance factions announced temporary truces on Wednesday following the earthquake to ease the passage of humanitarian assistance.
On Friday, the United Nations Human Rights Office charged the military with persisting in their assaults, stating that over 60 had occurred following the earthquake, with 16 taking place since the truce was declared.
The opposition’s shadow National Unity Government, which leads resistance to army rule, on Saturday accused the military of carrying out 63 air strikes and artillery attacks since the earthquake, resulting in the deaths of 68 civilians, including one child and 15 women.