On March 24th, a strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked central Myanmar. As a result, the nation is grappling with a rapidly deepening humanitarian crisis in its wake. The official reports show that the death toll has already exceeded 2,000. The U.S. Geological Survey cautions that this count will likely exceed 10,000 even as rescue efforts are ongoing. The earthquake, which struck on [insert date], has caused extensive damage to historic buildings and pagodas as well as the lives of thousands.
The grim reality of the disaster is just beginning to lay bare its full extent. In Sagaing, a city hard hit by the quake’s impact, conditions have worsened almost immediately. Corpses have started to stack up from local cemeteries as residents are complaining of a terrible odor coming from the dead bodies. Aye Moe, a local resident, described the scene:
“The corpses have been emitting a foul smell since yesterday. Today, it’s beyond description. The bodies can’t be removed from the city yet, and rescue teams haven’t arrived.”
Rescue efforts have been at great risk and difficulty, as first responders have not even made it to Sagaing. The Shatan earthquake’s destruction is so widespread that emergency assistance is difficult to reach. Further still, entrenched civil war within the country makes matters that much worse. Despite our best efforts, aid is mostly being channeled through the capital, Naypyitaw, as logistics continue to be an overwhelming challenge in the bedlam.
Local physician Dr. Nang Win described how the healthcare crisis has escalated since the earthquake. He is passionate about the plight of patients and medical personnel during this very dangerous period.
“At the main hospital, there are both patients and corpses, and it’s becoming unmanageable. There’s no manpower, and there are almost no young people – some have fled to the forest, others have left the country.”
Our healthcare system is overwhelmed and unprepared to receive this wave of wounded. Dr. Nang Win emphasized that the reported death toll of 1,700 is likely not accurate:
“1,700 is not the real death toll. Even in one town in Mandalay it would be more than that.”
To cope with the growing crisis, neighboring communities are coming together to support each other. Dr. Nang Win remarked on the resilience displayed by residents:
“People are trying to help each other.”
This disaster also drew criticism on the current state of Myanmar’s disaster management framework. Dr. Nang Win pointed out significant deficiencies in preparedness:
“They have to bury people with 10 bodies per grave. When there isn’t enough space there, they have to take them to Mandalay for cremation, but there aren’t enough furnaces there either.”
Rescue operations are now positioning themselves quickly and efficiently in the field. As aid begins to flow back into the country, the need for our direct emergency support is more urgent than ever. The World Health Organization has been the first to admit that these operations are risky.
“The system from the beginning is not set up; there is no disaster planning.”
As rescue teams gradually make their way into affected areas and aid begins to flow into the country, the need for immediate support remains critical. The World Health Organization has acknowledged that these operations are fraught with challenges.