Myanmar is facing a devastating crisis. A recent earthquake has killed over 3,000 people and left many more injured, with the toll likely increasing as rescue efforts continue. The quake struck central Myanmar last Friday, causing immense destructionin cities, and many areas remain unreachable. This makes it difficult to determine the true extent of the disaster’s impact.
In the midst of this tragedy, Min Aung Hlaing, the chief of Myanmar’s junta, traveled to Thailand for a regional summit. This is noteworthy because leaders under sanctions, like Hlaing, usually don’t attend such events. He arrived in Bangkok just a day before the summit, which includes leaders from seven countries bordering the Bay of Bengal.
Thailand itself felt the quake and has reported 21 fatalities. The Thai government is working to issue a joint statement on the disaster, emphasizing a collaborative response. Leaders from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka will also participate in discussions.
Compounding the effects of the earthquake, Myanmar’s ongoing civil war has made relief efforts challenging. The military government announced a temporary ceasefire to aid these efforts, despite rejecting earlier ceasefire proposals from ethnic armed groups. Recently, even a convoy from the Chinese Red Cross carrying aid was fired upon by troops, highlighting the tension between the military and those seeking to provide assistance.
This year marks two years since the military coup, which has sparked a bloody conflict and worsened the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. The UN reported that economic turmoil and skyrocketing inflation, a direct result of the conflict, have plunged the country further into despair. An estimate from the World Food Programme indicates that almost half of the population now faces food insecurity.
As humanitarian groups continue to call for increased aid and support, the situation is dire. The UN has emphasized the urgency of getting help to those affected before the monsoon season begins in about a month. Understanding and addressing the root causes of both natural and man-made disasters is crucial to aiding recovery and establishing long-term stability in Myanmar.
For more on the humanitarian challenges in Myanmar, you can visit UN OCHA.
Check out this related article: Tragic Loss: Gardner’s Son Dies from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – What You Need to Know
Source link