Massive Myanmar Earthquake Kills 2,000+ | Civil War Worsens Humanitarian Crisis
- Indian Ocean International Affairs
Shreya Naskar- 0
- 5 minutes read
The devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar last week has left a death toll surpassing 2,000, as state media confirmed on Monday. The scale of destruction is immense, with tragic accounts emerging from affected communities: approximately 200 Buddhist monks perished under the rubble of a collapsed monastery, around 50 children lost their lives when a preschool building crumbled, and at least 700 Muslim worshippers were killed as mosques collapsed during Ramadan prayers. The catastrophic impact of the earthquake has compounded the existing crisis in Myanmar, a nation already plagued by civil war and a deteriorating humanitarian situation. Aid organizations and the United Nations have raised concerns that the disaster could exacerbate food shortages and the spread of diseases. The 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which struck near Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure, including the airport, roads, and hundreds of buildings along a vast central corridor of the country. Tun Kyi, a member of the Spring Revolution Myanmar Muslim Network, reported that nearly 60 mosques were either severely damaged or completely destroyed, with many worshippers buried under the debris. Videos circulated online showing mosques collapsing entirely, adding to the tragedy.
Myanmar’s state-run MRTV reported that Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the military government, conveyed to Pakistan’s Prime Minister that 2,065 people had died, with more than 3,900 injured and about 270 individuals still missing. Relief agencies anticipate the death toll to rise significantly, as many affected areas remain inaccessible due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing civil conflict. The United Nations’ Myanmar country team has called for unrestricted access for aid workers to provide much-needed relief. Marcoluigi Corsi, the U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Myanmar, emphasized the dire situation, stating, “Even before this earthquake, nearly 20 million people in Myanmar were in need of humanitarian assistance.” The powerful tremors also impacted neighbouring Thailand, where at least 18 people were killed, primarily at a construction site in Bangkok where an unfinished high-rise collapsed. The disaster left 33 people injured and 78 missing. On Monday, rescue operations at the site temporarily halted as authorities attempted to detect signs of life using specialized machinery. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt mentioned that movement was detected the previous night, but it remained unclear whether it was a genuine sign of life or a machine error. The ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar has severely hindered rescue and relief operations. Since the military coup in 2021, armed resistance has escalated, with government forces losing control over vast regions of the country. Despite a unilateral ceasefire declaration by one armed group, the military government and other factions continue to engage in hostilities, making it dangerous for humanitarian aid teams to reach affected areas. The United Nations estimates that more than 3 million people have been displaced due to the conflict, many of whom sought refuge in areas now devastated by the earthquake. Jennifer Ellery of the International Rescue Committee highlighted that these regions had already suffered from severe flooding last year, leaving many displaced individuals vulnerable to further hardship. Since the earthquake, thousands have been forced to sleep outdoors, either due to the destruction of their homes or fear of aftershocks. The looming monsoon season, which begins in May, presents additional challenges for providing adequate shelter to the displaced population. Aid organizations are racing against time to construct temporary housing and distribute essential supplies before the rains exacerbate the crisis.
Several countries, including Russia, China, India, and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have dispatched rescue teams to assist Myanmar. In Mandalay, an Indian search and rescue team was seen using jackhammers to break through concrete slabs, recovering bodies from the wreckage. Western nations, including the European Union, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea, have pledged millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to support relief operations.
Despite significant budget cuts at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Embassy in Myanmar has announced plans to provide up to $2 million in aid through local organizations. A team of American disaster response experts is also en route to Myanmar to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts. Myanmar’s devastating earthquake has plunged an already crisis-stricken nation into further turmoil. With thousands dead and tens of thousands more in desperate need of aid, the response from both domestic and international agencies will be critical in determining how quickly affected communities can recover. However, with civil war impeding rescue efforts, logistical challenges in reaching remote areas, and the impending monsoon season, the road to recovery remains perilous. The global community must work collaboratively to ensure that aid reaches those most in need, providing relief to a country facing one of its darkest moments in recent history.
