The human toll from Myanmar’s devastating earthquake climbed further on Sunday, as international rescue teams and emergency supplies poured into the crisis-stricken nation. Overwhelmed hospitals and resource-strapped communities struggled to mount rescue operations in the wake of the powerful tremor.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake—one of the strongest to hit Myanmar in a century—struck the war-ravaged country on Friday, leaving at least 1,700 dead, 3,400 injured, and over 300 missing, according to the military government. Junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing cautioned that the number of casualties could rise, acknowledging the severe challenges his administration faces. Three days after the disaster, he made a rare appeal for international aid, state media reported.
Neighboring nations, including India, China, and Thailand, have sent aid and rescue teams, joined by support from Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies underscored the urgency of the situation, warning that with temperatures rising and monsoon season looming, swift action is essential to prevent further crises.
The United States has pledged $2 million in aid through Myanmar-based humanitarian organizations, with USAID deploying an emergency response team despite undergoing significant funding cuts.
The catastrophe has compounded Myanmar’s existing turmoil, already reeling from a civil war sparked by a 2021 military coup that toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Critical infrastructure—including highways, bridges, railways, and airports—has suffered severe damage, further hampering relief efforts in a country of 55 million. Ongoing conflict has already displaced over 3.5 million people and crippled the healthcare system.
In areas near the quake’s epicenter, residents reported a near-total absence of government assistance, forcing communities to rely on their own limited resources. "We haven’t seen any aid, and there are no rescue workers here," said Han Zin, a resident of Sagaing, one of the worst-hit regions.
A major bridge linking Sagaing to Mandalay collapsed into the Irrawaddy River, as shown in satellite imagery, making it even harder for relief supplies to reach affected areas. "Even aid from Mandalay is struggling to get through," a political group associated with Myanmar’s opposition National Unity Government (NUG) stated on social media.
The earthquake also caused destruction beyond Myanmar’s borders, shaking parts of Thailand and toppling an under-construction skyscraper in Bangkok, killing at least 18 people. Rescuers continued to search for 76 individuals trapped under the debris using drones and sniffer dogs.
In response to the disaster, Myanmar’s opposition NUG announced a temporary two-week halt to all offensive military actions, allowing relief efforts to take precedence in the hardest-hit regions.