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Thursday, Apr 03, 2025
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Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 2,000 Amidst Overwhelmed Health System
The region grapples with extensive casualties and destruction following a powerful earthquake, as international aid flows in amid ongoing political challenges.
A recent earthquake in Myanmar has resulted in a rising death toll, with the latest reports confirming over 2,000 fatalities and an estimated 270 individuals still missing.
The 7.7 magnitude quake, which struck on Friday, has severely impacted healthcare facilities in the affected regions, as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The agency noted that the health system is overwhelmed with a surge of injured persons, necessitating urgent trauma and surgical care, blood supplies, anaesthetics, and mental health support.
As rescue operations continue, they face substantial challenges, including damaged infrastructure such as roads and bridges, unstable communication systems, and the ongoing complexities of civil conflict in the region.
The junta-led government reported that at least three hospitals were completely destroyed, while 22 others sustained partial damage.
CURRENT estimates suggest the actual scale of injuries and fatalities may still be underreported.
The earthquake prompted Myanmar to declare a week of national mourning, directing government institutions to fly flags at half-mast.
Central Myanmar witnessed widespread damage to housing, educational institutions, religious buildings, and healthcare facilities, with extensive efforts by volunteers and rescue teams to locate survivors trapped under the rubble.
In Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, people have been forced to sleep outdoors for several nights due to safety concerns.
The local general hospital, capable of accommodating 1,000 patients, has been evacuated, with many patients receiving care outdoors.
Reports indicate that a group of 270 monks were sitting for an examination at a monastery when the earthquake struck; rescue operations have confirmed the deaths of at least 50 monks, with many others unaccounted for.
Communications remain severely hampered in many regions due to the ongoing civil unrest, which further complicates rescue and recovery efforts.
In an unusual move, the military junta requested international assistance, leading to a swift response from countries such as China, Russia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, which have begun sending aid and rescue personnel.
China mobilized a rescue team of over 200 personnel, along with emergency supplies including tents, blankets, and medical assistance.
Meanwhile, India has despatched additional medical and logistical support, while the EU has pledged emergency relief funds.
In contrast, the response from the United States has been slower, with a recent announcement of a $2 million aid pledge, amidst ongoing discussions regarding the best strategies for delivering humanitarian assistance in a politically complex landscape.
Prior to the earthquake, approximately 20 million people in Myanmar were estimated to require humanitarian aid due to the escalating conflict following the military coup in 2021. Humanitarian organizations have warned that the disaster exacerbates the existing crisis, threatening further hardships for communities already facing dislocation and violence.
Recent modeling from the US Geological Survey suggests that the death toll might potentially exceed 10,000 as rescue operations unfold.
In neighboring Thailand, authorities are investigating a separate construction site collapse believed to be linked to the earthquake, where dozens of individuals are still unaccounted for.
The deputy governor of Bangkok has indicated a low probability of additional survivors being found in that incident, which has already claimed at least 19 lives.
The 7.7 magnitude quake, which struck on Friday, has severely impacted healthcare facilities in the affected regions, as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The agency noted that the health system is overwhelmed with a surge of injured persons, necessitating urgent trauma and surgical care, blood supplies, anaesthetics, and mental health support.
As rescue operations continue, they face substantial challenges, including damaged infrastructure such as roads and bridges, unstable communication systems, and the ongoing complexities of civil conflict in the region.
The junta-led government reported that at least three hospitals were completely destroyed, while 22 others sustained partial damage.
CURRENT estimates suggest the actual scale of injuries and fatalities may still be underreported.
The earthquake prompted Myanmar to declare a week of national mourning, directing government institutions to fly flags at half-mast.
Central Myanmar witnessed widespread damage to housing, educational institutions, religious buildings, and healthcare facilities, with extensive efforts by volunteers and rescue teams to locate survivors trapped under the rubble.
In Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, people have been forced to sleep outdoors for several nights due to safety concerns.
The local general hospital, capable of accommodating 1,000 patients, has been evacuated, with many patients receiving care outdoors.
Reports indicate that a group of 270 monks were sitting for an examination at a monastery when the earthquake struck; rescue operations have confirmed the deaths of at least 50 monks, with many others unaccounted for.
Communications remain severely hampered in many regions due to the ongoing civil unrest, which further complicates rescue and recovery efforts.
In an unusual move, the military junta requested international assistance, leading to a swift response from countries such as China, Russia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, which have begun sending aid and rescue personnel.
China mobilized a rescue team of over 200 personnel, along with emergency supplies including tents, blankets, and medical assistance.
Meanwhile, India has despatched additional medical and logistical support, while the EU has pledged emergency relief funds.
In contrast, the response from the United States has been slower, with a recent announcement of a $2 million aid pledge, amidst ongoing discussions regarding the best strategies for delivering humanitarian assistance in a politically complex landscape.
Prior to the earthquake, approximately 20 million people in Myanmar were estimated to require humanitarian aid due to the escalating conflict following the military coup in 2021. Humanitarian organizations have warned that the disaster exacerbates the existing crisis, threatening further hardships for communities already facing dislocation and violence.
Recent modeling from the US Geological Survey suggests that the death toll might potentially exceed 10,000 as rescue operations unfold.
In neighboring Thailand, authorities are investigating a separate construction site collapse believed to be linked to the earthquake, where dozens of individuals are still unaccounted for.
The deputy governor of Bangkok has indicated a low probability of additional survivors being found in that incident, which has already claimed at least 19 lives.
