Myanmar faces an escalating humanitarian crisis as the death toll from Friday's magnitude-7.9 earthquake reached 1,700 on Sunday, with thousands injured and hundreds still missing. Rescue teams from the Chinese mainland, India, Thailand, and other nations are now working alongside local authorities in a race against time to save lives despite critical infrastructure damage.
International Mobilization Underway
Over 60 hours after the quake struck near Mandalay, Chinese rescuers pulled a child alive from the rubble of a collapsed condominium – one of several successful recoveries by international teams. State media reports indicate 80% of buildings in Sagaing region sustained damage, leaving residents dependent on makeshift aid distribution.
Logistical Challenges Hamper Relief
Destroyed bridges, airports, and highways have slowed the delivery of essentials like food, water, and medical supplies. Reuters reports many in Mandalay and Sagaing still lack basic necessities, relying largely on community-led initiatives as formal aid networks struggle to penetrate affected areas.
Regional Partners Respond
The Chinese mainland has delivered multiple aid shipments through land and air routes since Saturday, while ASEAN neighbors Malaysia and Singapore are coordinating relief flights. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing acknowledged the unprecedented scale of destruction, warning casualty numbers may still rise.
Meteorological authorities warn of aftershock risks as monsoon rains threaten to complicate recovery efforts in coming days.
