A devastating earthquake has left Myanmar in crisis, with the official death toll rising to 1,700. The powerful 7.7-magnitude quake struck the country on Friday, with its epicentre near Mandalay.
The destruction has been widespread, with buildings collapsing, bridges being destroyed, and key communication infrastructure left in ruins. Rescue operations have been severely hampered due to the scale of the disaster, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Survivors are facing an extremely difficult situation, with many spending their nights in the streets as their homes have been destroyed. Even those whose houses are still standing are afraid to return due to fears of aftershocks.
The air in Mandalay is now filled with the stench of decomposing bodies, highlighting the grim reality of the situation. Rescue efforts are slow, as workers are forced to clear rubble by hand due to the lack of heavy equipment.
Hospitals Overwhelmed as Medical Supplies Run Out
Healthcare facilities in the region are struggling to cope with the influx of injured victims. Many hospitals have been damaged, and those still operational are running low on medical supplies.
There is also a shortage of medical staff, as many have been injured or are unable to reach hospitals due to damaged roads and transport networks.
Cara Bragg, the Yangon-based manager of Catholic Relief Services, described the dire state of hospitals in the affected areas.
"It's mainly been local volunteers and civilians trying to find their loved ones. Hospitals are overwhelmed, struggling to treat the injured, and running out of medical supplies. People are also struggling to find food and clean water," she said.
Airport Damage Hampers Relief Efforts
Myanmar’s relief operations have been further complicated by the destruction of key transport hubs. Mandalay’s airport sustained significant damage, while Naypyitaw’s control tower collapsed, halting all commercial flights.
The loss of air transport has made it difficult for aid agencies to bring in emergency supplies and personnel to assist in rescue operations.
With official relief efforts prioritising government offices and staff housing, many local communities have been left to fend for themselves. Volunteers and local residents are using whatever resources they have to search for survivors, often without proper equipment.
The extreme heat, reaching 41 degrees Celsius (106 Fahrenheit), has made rescue efforts even more challenging.
Foreign Aid Arrives, But Civil War Complicates Efforts
International assistance has started to trickle in, with India sending two C-17 military transport aircraft carrying medical teams, field hospital units, and emergency supplies.
The personnel are expected to establish a 60-bed emergency treatment centre in Mandalay. Meanwhile, a convoy of 17 Chinese cargo trucks carrying critical shelter and medical supplies is on its way to the affected areas.
However, Myanmar’s ongoing civil war is creating additional obstacles. Many of the hardest-hit areas are in regions where government forces have lost control to armed opposition groups.
This has made it dangerous or even impossible for aid workers to reach some of the most devastated communities.
Tom Andrews, a United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, has called for an immediate ceasefire to allow rescue and relief operations to proceed without obstruction.
"Aid workers should not have to fear arrest, and there should be no obstructions to aid getting to where it is most needed," he said on social media platform X.
Rising Death Toll and Fears of More Casualties
As the rescue operations continue, officials expect the death toll to rise further. Thousands remain missing, and with communication networks severely damaged, it is unclear how many people are still trapped under the rubble.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that Myanmar is facing an urgent humanitarian crisis.
"We are dealing with an unprecedented disaster, and the country lacks the resources to respond effectively," an OCHA spokesperson stated.
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