The strong earthquake in Myanmar has caused over a thousand

On the noon of March 28th local time, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 struck central Myanmar, causing significant casualties and property damage. According to the latest data released by the Myanmar State Council News Information Group on March 29th, the earthquake has caused 1002 deaths, 2376 injuries, and multiple missing persons in the affected areas of the country. On the same day, the news team of the Myanmar National Management Committee reported that 1591 houses, 670 temples, 60 schools, 3 bridges, and 290 pagodas were damaged in the Mandalay area. With the deepening of disaster statistics, the data of infrastructure damage may further increase. ​

Many areas are severely affected by the disaster, and rescue supplies are scarce

In this earthquake, Mandalay Province, Sagaing Province, Naypyidaw and other areas were particularly severely affected. A large amount of infrastructure has been severely damaged, and numerous houses have been destroyed and collapsed. The rescue supplies in the earthquake stricken area are extremely scarce, with hospitals severely lacking basic medical supplies such as surgical equipment, antibiotics, and painkillers. Some hospitals have been forced to suspend the treatment of patients. The runway of Mandalay International Airport was damaged, and all flights were grounded after the earthquake. Some roads were impassable due to the earthquake, which greatly hindered rescue work. ​

Mary Manryk, the project coordinator of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Myanmar, said that the strong earthquake caused great damage to buildings and public infrastructure in Myanmar, with six areas including Sagaing Province and Mandalay Province being greatly affected, and the disaster situation is worrying. The Red Cross has taken emergency response measures, and staff and volunteers are doing their best to provide assistance. However, due to power supply and communication interruptions, little is currently known about the specific situation in the earthquake stricken area. ​

Myanmar calls for international aid, UN responds quickly

Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing stated on the 28th that although the country has carried out disaster relief efforts, there is a serious shortage of manpower and material resources, making it difficult to fully assist the victims. He requested the international community to provide assistance and support to Myanmar. On the same day, the Myanmar government called on its residents to donate blood and medical supplies to treat earthquake victims. ​

The United Nations has responded positively, with Secretary General Guterres issuing a statement expressing condolences to the government and people of Myanmar, and mobilizing efforts to provide assistance to those in need. The UN spokesperson stated that the UN is collecting information on the number of affected individuals, infrastructure damage, and emergency humanitarian needs to guide response actions. The United Nations has initially allocated $5 million from the Emergency Relief Fund to support rescue operations. ​

Multiple Chinese rescue forces rushed to provide emergency assistance

At the request of the Myanmar government, China acted quickly and sent multiple rescue forces to Myanmar. On March 29th, Li Ming, spokesperson for the National International Development Cooperation Agency, announced that the Chinese government has decided to provide 100 million yuan in emergency humanitarian earthquake relief assistance to Myanmar. Two rescue teams will be dispatched, and urgently needed supplies such as tents and blankets will be provided. ​

On the morning of March 29th Beijing time, 82 members of the Chinese rescue team dispatched by the Ministry of Emergency Management flew from the capital airport to the disaster area by Air China charter flight. The team is composed of personnel from the Beijing Fire Rescue Corps, China Earthquake Emergency Search and Rescue Center, and Emergency General Hospital, carrying a large amount of professional rescue equipment and materials. On the morning of the 29th local time, a 37 person Yunnan rescue medical team from China arrived in Yangon, Myanmar, carrying 112 sets of emergency rescue supplies such as fully functional life detectors and earthquake warning systems, becoming the first international rescue team to arrive in Myanmar. In addition, 16 members of the Chinese Ram rescue team carried earthquake search and rescue equipment and rushed to Bangkok, Thailand and the epicenter area of Myanmar to carry out personnel search and rescue work; 16 members of the China Blue Sky Rescue Yunnan team have left the Ruili Port in Yunnan and are heading to Muse City in Myanmar for rescue operations. ​

Subsequently, the first batch of aid materials planned by the Chinese government will be shipped on the 31st, and China will continue to provide assistance as needed by Myanmar. On March 29th, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam also announced that the Hong Kong SAR government will dispatch a rescue team to assist in search and rescue efforts in the earthquake stricken areas of Myanmar. ​

At present, the search and rescue work in the earthquake stricken areas of Myanmar is still intensively underway. The international community continues to pay attention to the disaster situation in Myanmar, and various forces are working together to assist Myanmar in responding to this major disaster.