A magnitude 8.8 earthquake has just hit Myanmar, killing more than 2,000 people. Worse still, the death toll will almost certainly climb much higher. The tragedy occurred against a cruel irony of diminished humanitarian assistance, due to deep cuts imposed by USAID leaders appointed by the Trump administration. This has hindered the nation’s ability to respond to the still-present disaster. Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar’s triple trump card The cyclone has almost leveled Myanmar. It has taken a toll on contiguous Thailand, where at least 19 people have died.
The effect on Myanmar’s healthcare infrastructure has been catastrophic. The country’s largest—1,000-bed—general hospital was also evacuated, with hundreds of patients now being treated in a field hospital. Just a day later, the World Health Organization pictured this, at the very least three hospitals completely destroyed and 22 others as partially damaged.
“The earthquake’s devastation has overwhelmed healthcare facilities in the affected areas, which are struggling to manage the influx of injured individuals. There is an urgent need for trauma and surgical care, blood transfusion supplies, anaesthetics, essential medicines, and mental health support,” – World Health Organization.
Rescue volunteers’ efforts to free people trapped beneath fallen buildings have pushed on for days. Meanwhile, Myanmar’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has called a meeting with government departments responsible for sending SMS alerts to the public amid criticism of the response when the earthquake struck.
Thai authorities are continuing to explore the potential reasons for a construction collapse in Bangkok. Dozens of the people aboard that tragic vessel remain unaccounted for. According to a spokesperson, 270 people remain missing and 3,900 have been injured.
Even before this natural disaster hit, Myanmar was reeling from one of the world’s worst crises. The war that has gone terribly awry was started from a military coup in 2021. The junta now finds itself under attack from armed civilians and ethnic organizations that are continuing to battle for democracy and independence. The sheer scale of devastation from the earthquake would cause Myanmar’s reclusive military regime to issue an unusual appeal for worldwide help. Emergency international relief poured in over the weekend as a result.
“Even before this earthquake, nearly 20 million people in Myanmar were in need of humanitarian assistance,” – Marcoluigi Corsi, the UN representative in Myanmar.
“This latest tragedy compounds an already dire crisis and risks further eroding the resilience of communities already battered by conflict, displacement and past disasters.” – Marcoluigi Corsi, the UN representative in Myanmar.
The US Geological Survey’s predictive modeling indicates the death toll may eventually surpass 10,000. Myanmar has announced a week of national mourning. Flags are flying at half-staff as the country grapples with this terrible and historic calamity.
The situation in Mandalay is particularly dire.
“The situation is so dire that it’s hard to express what is happening,” – Aung Myint Hussein, the chief administrator of Sajja North mosque in Mandalay.