Over the weekend, rains fell in some areas of earthquake-stricken Myanmar, which aid organizations indicated could hinder relief operations and increase the risk of disease outbreaks. The United Nations aid chief emphasized the urgent need for more tents to provide shelter for those displaced by the disaster.
The death toll from the devastating quake that occurred on March 28 has risen to 3,471, as reported by state media, with 4,671 individuals injured and another 214 unaccounted for.
Aid organizations have cautioned that the unusual combination of rain and extreme heat may lead to disease outbreaks, such as cholera, among quake survivors camping outdoors.
“Families are sleeping outside the remnants of their homes while the bodies of loved ones are recovered from the debris. There is a genuine fear of more seismic activity,” stated visiting UN aid chief Tom Fletcher in a post on X.
Myanmar’s neighboring countries, including China, India, and various Southeast Asian nations, have dispatched relief supplies and rescue teams over the past week to assist in recovery efforts in areas impacted by the quake, which is home to approximately 28 million people.
The United States, previously the world’s leading humanitarian donor, has committed at least $9 million to support communities affected by the earthquake in Myanmar. However, current and former U.S. officials express concern that the reduction of its foreign aid program has impeded its response efforts.
Rescue workers are seen standing next to a collapsed building in Mandalay.
Three workers from the U.S. Agency for International Development who had traveled to Myanmar post-quake were informed they were being let go, according to Marcia Wong, a former senior USAID official.
“This team is working tirelessly, dedicated to delivering humanitarian aid to those who need it the most. Receiving news of your impending termination—how can that not be disheartening?” Ms. Wong lamented.
In Thailand, authorities reported that the death toll from the quake had reached 24, with 17 fatalities occurring at the site of a collapsed skyscraper in Bangkok that was still under construction. An additional 77 people are still reported missing in that area.
Ceasefire breaches
Since overthrowing the government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, Myanmar’s military has faced significant challenges in governing the country, leaving the economy and essential services, including healthcare, in disarray, a situation worsened by the earthquake.
The civil conflict that ensued has displaced over three million individuals, resulting in widespread food insecurity, with more than a third of the population requiring humanitarian aid, according to the UN.
Despite a ceasefire declared on Wednesday, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reported on Friday that the junta was hindering aid efforts in regions that do not support its rule. The office also stated it is investigating alleged attacks by the junta against opponents, including incidents occurring after the ceasefire.
A spokesperson for the junta did not respond to requests for comment.
The Free Burma Rangers, a relief organization, reported yesterday that the military had conducted airstrikes in Karenni and Shan states on Thursday and Friday, despite the ceasefire announcement, resulting in at least five fatalities.
According to the group’s founder, David Eubank, the victims included civilians, and there have been at least seven military attacks since the ceasefire was initiated.
