Myanmar Earthquake: Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Following Catastrophic Event
As recovery efforts continue, focus shifts to the pressing humanitarian needs exacerbated by ongoing conflict.
Search and rescue teams in Myanmar have been actively recovering bodies from the rubble of buildings following a catastrophic earthquake that struck on March 28. As of Friday, the death toll has risen to more than 3,100, with thousands more injured or missing, prompting urgent international appeals for humanitarian aid.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher is scheduled to visit the affected areas, aiming to galvanize support for the calamity's victims.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the global community to significantly increase funding to match the scale of the tragedy, also urging for unhindered access to aid for those in dire need.
In response to the disaster, Myanmar’s military and several key armed resistance groups have announced ceasefires to facilitate humanitarian aid logistics.
However, the UN's Human Rights Office has reported over 60 military attacks since the earthquake occurred, including 16 attacks after the ceasefire declaration.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called for an immediate halt to military operations, emphasizing the need for focus on relief efforts and ensuring access for humanitarian organizations.
The military, which seized power from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, stated that while it had declared a ceasefire, it would still undertake necessary actions against resistance groups if they were to use the ceasefire to regroup or launch assaults.
These groups have countered that they retain the right to defend themselves in the face of ongoing military actions.
The earthquake has exacerbated an already severe humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, where prior to the disaster, over 3 million individuals were internally displaced and nearly 20 million required assistance, according to UN estimates.
As of Thursday, local authorities reported 3,145 confirmed deaths, with 4,589 individuals injured and 221 still unaccounted for.
In response to the disaster, the United Kingdom has pledged an additional $6.5 million in aid, building on an earlier commitment of $13 million for emergency supplies including food, water, and shelter.
The World Food Program has reported reaching 24,000 survivors so far, while scaling up initiatives to assist 850,000 individuals within the next month through food and cash aid.
Numerous international search and rescue teams have mobilized, with medical crews from China, Thailand, Japan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Russia actively engaged in relief efforts in the capital, Naypyitaw.
Additional teams from India, Russia, Laos, Nepal, and Singapore are providing support in the Mandalay region, with further assistance coming from Russia, Malaysia, and the ASEAN bloc in the Sagaing region.
The United States has pledged $2 million in emergency aid and has dispatched a small team to evaluate the situation amid significant cuts to foreign assistance.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher is scheduled to visit the affected areas, aiming to galvanize support for the calamity's victims.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the global community to significantly increase funding to match the scale of the tragedy, also urging for unhindered access to aid for those in dire need.
In response to the disaster, Myanmar’s military and several key armed resistance groups have announced ceasefires to facilitate humanitarian aid logistics.
However, the UN's Human Rights Office has reported over 60 military attacks since the earthquake occurred, including 16 attacks after the ceasefire declaration.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called for an immediate halt to military operations, emphasizing the need for focus on relief efforts and ensuring access for humanitarian organizations.
The military, which seized power from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, stated that while it had declared a ceasefire, it would still undertake necessary actions against resistance groups if they were to use the ceasefire to regroup or launch assaults.
These groups have countered that they retain the right to defend themselves in the face of ongoing military actions.
The earthquake has exacerbated an already severe humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, where prior to the disaster, over 3 million individuals were internally displaced and nearly 20 million required assistance, according to UN estimates.
As of Thursday, local authorities reported 3,145 confirmed deaths, with 4,589 individuals injured and 221 still unaccounted for.
In response to the disaster, the United Kingdom has pledged an additional $6.5 million in aid, building on an earlier commitment of $13 million for emergency supplies including food, water, and shelter.
The World Food Program has reported reaching 24,000 survivors so far, while scaling up initiatives to assist 850,000 individuals within the next month through food and cash aid.
Numerous international search and rescue teams have mobilized, with medical crews from China, Thailand, Japan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Russia actively engaged in relief efforts in the capital, Naypyitaw.
Additional teams from India, Russia, Laos, Nepal, and Singapore are providing support in the Mandalay region, with further assistance coming from Russia, Malaysia, and the ASEAN bloc in the Sagaing region.
The United States has pledged $2 million in emergency aid and has dispatched a small team to evaluate the situation amid significant cuts to foreign assistance.
