BANGKOK (Reuters) – Aid organizations arriving in the areas most affected by the recent earthquake in Myanmar have emphasized the critical requirement for shelter, food, and water. Meanwhile, in Bangkok, rescue teams are tirelessly searching for survivors trapped beneath the debris of a collapsed skyscraper. The 7.7 magnitude earthquake claimed the lives of over 2,000 individuals when it struck around midday last Friday. As relief teams reached areas close to the epicenter, the extent of the humanitarian crisis facing the survivors became evident.
A worker from the International Rescue Committee in Mandalay stated, “Having endured the horror of the earthquake, people are now apprehensive about aftershocks and are forced to sleep outdoors on roads or in open fields.” The worker further highlighted the scarcity of safe spaces in towns and cities, stressing the urgent need for tents even for those with intact homes who are too frightened to sleep indoors. Apart from shelter, the IRC found that immediate requirements included medical assistance, potable water, and sustenance.
The situation is complicated by the ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar, following a military coup in 2021, which has hindered efforts to assist the injured and displaced individuals affected by the region’s most significant earthquake in a century. Residents in Mandalay are reportedly attempting to rescue bodies trapped in the rubble independently due to the lack of equipment and professional rescue teams, all while being cautious of potential aftershocks.
Official reports state that the death toll in Myanmar has reached 2,065, with over 3,900 sustaining injuries and at least 270 individuals still unaccounted for. The military government has proclaimed a week-long mourning period beginning Monday. The junta’s control over communication channels and the extensive destruction of infrastructure following the earthquake have posed additional challenges for aid workers.
In Bangkok, search and rescue operations are ongoing at the site of a collapsed unfinished skyscraper, with diminishing hopes of finding survivors as almost four days have passed since the earthquake. Emotional support dogs are being brought in to comfort the families of the deceased and missing individuals. Thirteen fatalities have been confirmed at the construction site, with 74 individuals still unaccounted for. Initial investigations suggest that certain steel samples from the collapsed building did not meet standards, prompting a government inquiry into the incident.
(Reporting by Bangkok Bureau, Shoon Naing; Writing by John Mair; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
