Naypyitaw: Myanmar is grappling with one of its darkest periods as the country struggles to recover from the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28, while simultaneously enduring the impact of a protracted civil war. The dual crises have deepened the humanitarian emergency, leaving millions in dire need of assistance.

The quake has claimed more than 3,800 lives and injured thousands, with major destruction reported in Mandalay, Naypyitaw, and other regions. Bridges, hospitals, schools, and government buildings were either flattened or severely damaged, forcing tens of thousands into makeshift shelters. Survivors remain vulnerable to the monsoon rains, with many still living in tents or partially cleared residential areas.

The earthquake struck a nation already fractured by conflict. Before the disaster, more than 3 million people had been displaced due to fighting between the military junta and ethnic armed groups, and nearly 20 million required humanitarian aid. The earthquake has added at least 2 million more to that figure, stretching relief capacity to its breaking point.

In an effort to allow aid operations, the ruling military declared a temporary ceasefire from April 2 to April 22. However, reports indicate that military offensives have continued in certain regions, restricting access to aid convoys and endangering humanitarian workers. The United Nations has voiced concern over these ongoing operations, warning that the continuation of fighting undermines relief efforts at a critical time.

International aid has trickled in, with China, Russia, and Vietnam sending rescue teams and financial assistance. The United States, however, has offered a limited response, dispatching a three-member assessment team and \$9 million in aid. Washington’s reduced involvement has been linked to the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which has faced layoffs and frozen payments.

Despite resource shortages and logistical hurdles, rebuilding work has begun. Local workers, many of them women, are manually clearing debris and restoring roads in quake-affected areas. Prefabricated housing has been set up for some government staff in Naypyitaw, but the majority of displaced people remain in precarious conditions.

As Myanmar navigates the dual devastation of natural disaster and civil conflict, the resilience of its people is evident. Yet the scale of destruction and displacement underscores the urgent need for sustained international support to ease suffering and help chart a path toward recovery.