Rescue volunteers across central Myanmar are urgently searching for survivors amidst the rubble of collapsed buildings, following a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck near the country's center on Friday afternoon.

The earthquake has resulted in over 1,700 fatalities in Myanmar, with at least 18 deaths reported in neighboring Thailand.

Emergency efforts are hampered by a lack of resources and ongoing civil strife in the region, leading to a dire humanitarian situation.

The Red Cross described the devastation from the earthquake as unprecedented in over a century in Asia, citing the significant damage to infrastructure, including hospitals, roads, and communication networks.

Reports indicate that the earthquake was followed shortly by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock, further complicating rescue efforts.

Reports from Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, reveal that many victims remain trapped under collapsed buildings.

Local rescue workers have indicated that they lack the necessary equipment to locate and recover the deceased, with some regions expected to have as many as 100 bodies still entombed in rubble.

Ko Doe, a rescue worker, emphasized the urgent need for cranes and heavy machinery in order to continue recovery operations effectively.

The Myanmar military government reports that approximately 3,400 individuals have sustained injuries as a result of the earthquake, with over 300 people still unaccounted for.

A further aftershock struck on Sunday, adding to the fear and uncertainty among communities already struggling to cope with the destruction.

In Thailand, rescue operations are ongoing at the site of a collapsed 30-story skyscraper under construction in Bangkok, where rescuers continue to seek a substantial number of missing workers.

As of Sunday, 11 casualties have been confirmed from that incident, with indications that more remain trapped.

Concerns are growing regarding widespread aid shortages as humanitarian organizations grapple with the fallout from both natural disasters and the ongoing conflict exacerbated by the military coup in Myanmar.

The military junta has since called for international assistance, a rare move for a regime that has historically isolated the nation from foreign aid efforts.

International responses have begun to emerge, with countries including India, Thailand, and Malaysia offering support in the form of personnel and supplies.

The United States has pledged $2 million in aid to Myanmar-based humanitarian organizations, marking a significant commitment amid concerns about the strained infrastructure and ongoing unrest.

The ongoing conflict in Myanmar, which has disrupted healthcare and humanitarian efforts for over four years, further limits the ability of aid groups to respond effectively in the wake of the earthquake.

Reports indicate that over 15 million people—approximately one-third of Myanmar’s population—were already facing acute food insecurity before the tremors struck.

China and Russia, allies of the Myanmar junta, have also initiated aid measures.

Reports suggest that a two-week ceasefire has been declared in affected regions by the National Unity Government, which represents opposition to the military junta, allowing humanitarian efforts to proceed in those areas.

Medical facilities across affected regions remain overwhelmed.

In Mandalay, local doctors report a lack of basic supplies to treat the influx of trauma patients resulting from the earthquake.

Patients have been treated outside as hospitals struggle to accommodate the injured, and a severe shortage of essential medical supplies has been reported.

Amidst these challenges, aid organizations are warning that resettlement and recovery will be complex due to infrastructural damage and ongoing military operations.

The situation continues to evolve rapidly as international agencies monitor the effects of the dual crises in both Myanmar and Thailand.