Humanitarian organizations in Myanmar painted a grim picture on Tuesday, describing widespread devastation and urgent needs for basic necessities following a powerful earthquake that has claimed over 2,700 lives. Aid groups cautioned that the critical window to rescue survivors was rapidly closing.
In a televised address, Myanmar's military ruler Min Aung Hlaing warned that the death toll from Friday’s 7.7 magnitude earthquake was likely to exceed 3,000. As of Tuesday, the official count stood at 2,719 fatalities, with 4,521 injured and 441 still missing.
The quake—the most powerful to strike Myanmar in over a century—hit during the lunch hour, reducing both ancient landmarks and modern infrastructure to rubble. The destruction was particularly severe in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, and Naypyitaw, the former junta-constructed capital.
Rescue Efforts in Myanmar and Thailand
The earthquake’s impact was also felt in neighboring Thailand, where 21 people lost their lives and hundreds of buildings sustained damage. Rescuers in Bangkok continued searching for survivors beneath the wreckage of a partially collapsed skyscraper but admitted that time was running out.
In Myanmar, relief operations have been severely hampered by ongoing civil conflict. UN agencies reported overwhelmed hospitals and logistical challenges due to damaged infrastructure. Some rebel groups accused the military of conducting airstrikes even after the quake, prompting a major rebel alliance to declare a temporary ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid.
Aid organizations raised alarms over shortages of food, clean water, and sanitation, especially as aftershocks continued to rattle the region on Tuesday.
"Crisis Still Unfolding," Warns UNICEF
Julia Rees, a representative for UNICEF who recently visited one of the hardest-hit areas, described entire villages flattened and severe psychological trauma among survivors.
"This disaster is far from over," she stated. "The tremors persist. Search and rescue operations are ongoing. More bodies are being pulled from the rubble. The scale of need is staggering and rising by the hour. The window for life-saving interventions is closing fast."
Civil War Hindering Relief Operations
In Mandalay, a collapsed preschool claimed the lives of 50 children and two teachers, according to UN reports. Amid the tragedies, one rare survival story emerged—a 63-year-old woman was pulled from the debris in Naypyitaw after being trapped for an astonishing 91 hours. Her rescue was a collaborative effort involving teams from Myanmar, India, China, and Russia.
Myanmar’s ongoing civil war has further complicated relief efforts. The military junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup, has imposed strict controls on internet access and communications, making it difficult to coordinate rescue missions. Rebel groups accused the military of prioritizing airstrikes over humanitarian aid in the country's east.
On Tuesday, the Three Brotherhood Alliance, a coalition of three major ethnic rebel groups, declared a unilateral one-month ceasefire to ensure aid efforts could proceed without disruption.
Calls for Unrestricted Humanitarian Access
Amnesty International called on the junta to allow unrestricted access to aid organizations, warning against the military’s history of blocking relief efforts in opposition-held areas.
"Myanmar’s military has long denied aid to regions controlled by groups resisting its rule," said Joe Freeman, Amnesty’s Myanmar researcher. "It must immediately allow unhindered access for all humanitarian organizations."
In his speech, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing criticized poor building standards for exacerbating the disaster. "Some buildings were constructed cheaply, cutting corners on costs," he remarked.
It remains uncertain whether Min Aung Hlaing will proceed with a scheduled visit to Bangkok for a regional summit later this week. Thailand’s foreign ministry stated that the general might attend virtually instead.