In the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, the official death toll has surpassed 3,300, according to state media reports on Saturday. As humanitarian conditions worsen, the United Nations is urgently appealing for international assistance to support survivors and help rebuild devastated communities.
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Rising Casualties and Widespread Devastation
Myanmar’s state-run media reported that 3,354 people have been confirmed dead, with another 4,508 injured and 220 still missing. The 7.7-magnitude quake, followed by a powerful aftershock measuring 6.4, rocked the central regions of Sagaing and Mandalay, leveling buildings and damaging critical infrastructure. Many residents remain without shelter, choosing to sleep outdoors out of fear of further collapses.
Entire communities have been flattened, and emergency services are overwhelmed. The scale of destruction has been amplified by ongoing conflict in the country, where civil war has persisted since the military coup in 2021.
UN’s Humanitarian Appeal
Tom Fletcher, the United Nations’ Humanitarian Relief Coordinator, visited Mandalay on Saturday, witnessing firsthand the devastation in areas near the quake’s epicenter.
“The destruction is staggering. The UN is here to help. The world must come together to support the people of Myanmar,” Fletcher stated on X (formerly Twitter).
The UN has called on the international community to provide immediate financial and logistical support to deliver food, medical supplies, and temporary housing to affected regions.
Earthquake Amidst Ongoing Conflict
The disaster has further complicated Myanmar’s volatile political and security situation. The military junta, which seized power in 2021, has reportedly carried out multiple attacks since the earthquake struck — with at least 16 assaults occurring even after a temporary ceasefire was announced on Wednesday.
General Min Aung Hlaing, the junta’s leader, confirmed the rising death toll upon returning from a regional summit in Bangkok. His government has yet to respond positively to offers of international aid beyond the UN.
Tremors were felt as far as Thailand, Vietnam, and parts of southern China, underlining the regional impact of the disaster.
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