International Desk: Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) has declared a two-week ceasefire in earthquake-prone areas. The decision has been taken to deliver aid to those affected by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake on Friday (March 28). The United Nations has already stated that two million people need urgent humanitarian assistance.
The death toll from the earthquake has risen to 1,644, the military junta said on Saturday (March 29) night. It is feared that this number may rise as more bodies are recovered from the rubble. Mandalay and its surrounding areas, 17 kilometers from the epicenter of the earthquake, have suffered the most damage.
Various countries, including rescue teams from China, Russia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, have sent relief supplies. China has provided 100 million yuan ($13.77 million) in relief funds. The United Nations has initially announced 5 million or 5 million dollars in aid.
The NUG statement said the People’s Defense Force (PDF) would conduct only defensive operations in the quake-prone areas for two weeks, with relief camps set up in coordination with the United Nations and NGOs in NUG-controlled areas, and doctors would work with international organizations once security is assured in junta-controlled areas.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator Marcoluigi Corsi said Myanmar was already in a humanitarian crisis due to conflict and natural disasters before the earthquake. Now, relief efforts are being hampered by communication disruptions, damaged roads and a lack of medical equipment.
Meanwhile, another body was recovered from a tower block that collapsed in Bangkok in the same earthquake, bringing the death toll to 18. 78 people are still missing, most of them construction workers.
Despite the international community’s concerted efforts in this crisis, ongoing conflict and infrastructure destruction have hampered relief efforts after the earthquake. It is not yet clear how effective the NUG’s ceasefire declaration will be.
Source: Nikkei Asia
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