Rescue teams freed four people from collapsed buildings in Mandalay, Myanmar early Monday. Among those saved were a pregnant woman and a young girl. Fortunately, this rescue brings hope three days after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the region. As a result of the disaster, approximately 2,000 lives have been lost across Myanmar and Thailand.
Friday’s catastrophic earthquake centered near Mandalay, consequently causing widespread destruction. In response, several countries have joined relief efforts. Specifically, China, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia have sent aid workers and specialized teams. Additionally, they’ve provided essential relief materials to support recovery operations.
“Our priority is bringing hope to local residents,” said Yue Xin, who leads the first China Search and Rescue Team. Clearly, his statement reflects the commitment of international responders working tirelessly in affected areas.
Meanwhile, in Bangkok, emergency crews search for 76 people trapped beneath a collapsed skyscraper. The building was under construction when the earthquake hit. Despite the challenges, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt confirmed that rescue operations will continue beyond the critical 72-hour window.
“We’ve detected multiple locations with signs of life,” Sittipunt stated. Currently, rescue teams are using advanced technology and specialized dogs to locate survivors. Furthermore, he mentioned previous earthquakes where people survived for over a week under rubble.
According to state media, Myanmar’s death toll has reached at least 1,700. However, some sources citing military junta figures report 2,028 casualties. In light of this tragedy, the United Nations is now coordinating relief supplies to survivors in central Myanmar.
“Myanmar needs global solidarity through this immense devastation,” stressed Noriko Takagi, the UN refugee agency’s representative. Undoubtedly, time is critical for effective response.
In addition, the United States has pledged $2 million in humanitarian assistance through local organizations. They’re also deploying an emergency response team from USAID. Nevertheless, this comes despite the agency facing significant budget cuts under the current administration.
This earthquake worsens Myanmar’s ongoing crisis from civil conflict. Indeed, the country has struggled since the 2021 military coup that ousted Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government. Alarmingly, reports indicate military airstrikes on villages continue even in earthquake-affected areas. Therefore, Singapore’s foreign minister has called for an immediate ceasefire to allow relief efforts.
Moreover, the disaster has severely damaged critical infrastructure throughout Myanmar. Consequently, bridges, highways, airports, and railways lie in ruins. This damage hampers humanitarian response in a nation already facing economic instability. Similarly, the country of 55 million people also struggles with 3.5 million displaced persons and a weakened healthcare system.
