The earthquake in Myanmar has resulted in over 2,000 confirmed deaths, with expectations that the toll will surpass 3,000. Rescue operations, although yielding some hopeful rescues, are hampered by severe shortages of crucial supplies. The disaster aggravates an existing humanitarian crisis exacerbated by civil war, prompting calls for unrestricted international assistance to the victims.
On Tuesday, rescue teams in Myanmar managed to save a 63-year-old woman from the ruins of a collapsed building, amidst growing fears that the death toll from the recent 7.7 magnitude earthquake may exceed 3,000. Reports indicate that over 2,000 individuals have already been confirmed deceased, with at least 441 still unaccounted for. These tragic developments have exacerbated an existing humanitarian crisis due to the nation’s ongoing civil conflict.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that the time for critical search and rescue operations is quickly closing. Marcoluigi Corsi, OCHA’s Humanitarian Coordinator for Myanmar, emphasized that essential supplies such as shelter, clean water, and medicine are severely lacking, leaving many survivors to spend the night outdoors without basic utilities.
Julia Rees, a deputy representative for UNICEF in Myanmar, reiterated the urgent need for resources. She stated that the humanitarian crisis intensifies with each passing hour, as families struggle with acute shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies following the earthquake.
Reports from the World Health Organization indicate that over 10,000 buildings in central and northwest Myanmar were either destroyed or significantly damaged by the earthquake. The quake also affected neighboring Thailand, where construction site mishaps resulted in 20 fatalities and numerous injuries, leading officials to investigate potential building flaws.
Rescue efforts momentarily paused on Tuesday as a tribute was held for victims, while reports of remarkable rescues continue. Authorities indicated that 403 people were rescued in Mandalay, and the fire department rescued a 63-year-old woman nearly four days post-quake. Despite the steep decline in survival chances past 72 hours, some individuals managed to escape trapped conditions, demonstrating resilience amidst the tragedy.
International aid has begun to flow slowly into affected areas, with various countries sending rescue teams. Financial pledges for aid have been made by several nations to facilitate recovery efforts in Myanmar, but logistical challenges remain.
U.N. agencies have raised alarms regarding severe shortages of safe drinking water and potential disease outbreaks following the quake. Many individuals in the impacted regions were already living without adequate medical care, leading to fears of cholera and other health crises as the monsoon season approaches.
The earthquake struck amidst an ongoing civil war in Myanmar, which has already displaced more than 3 million people, according to the U.N. The National Unity Government (NUG), formed by ousted lawmakers, has called for a ceasefire and urged the international community to ensure direct aid reaches earthquake victims without interference from military forces. Protection of humanitarian efforts remains a critical concern in light of past experiences with military restrictions on aid during disasters.
The recent earthquake in Myanmar has created an urgent humanitarian crisis, with a death toll expected to exceed 3,000 and many survivors in dire need of assistance. Rescue teams continue their efforts in challenging conditions, although the likelihood of finding more survivors diminishes. The existing civil war complicates relief efforts, prompting calls for unimpeded international aid directed toward the victims, emphasizing the need for a focus on saving lives in this dire situation.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
