Rescue teams and supplies from various countries have arrived in Myanmar to assist the country in responding to a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that has claimed over 1,600 lives and injured thousands of people. The earthquake and a subsequent 6.4 magnitude tremor struck midday on Friday, causing widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure, including the airport, near the epicenter in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city.
Neighboring countries such as India, China, Malaysia, and Singapore have dispatched aircraft and warships carrying relief supplies and rescue teams. Thailand has also provided aid to Myanmar, where at least 17 people have died due to the earthquake. On Sunday, a convoy of 17 Chinese cargo trucks carrying critical shelter and medical supplies was expected to arrive in Mandalay, while Beijing sent over 135 rescue personnel and pledged approximately $13.8 million in emergency aid.
Two Indian military transport aircraft landed in Naypyidaw late Saturday with a field hospital unit and approximately 120 personnel, who were to establish a 60-bed emergency treatment center in Mandalay. Russia has flown 120 rescuers and supplies to Yangon, and Moscow has also dispatched a medical team.
The World Health Organization is mobilizing its logistics hub in Dubai to prepare trauma injury supplies and is coordinating its earthquake response from its headquarters in Geneva. The United States, European Union, and the United Kingdom have also provided emergency aid.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) initial report on earthquake relief efforts warned of a severe shortage of medical supplies, hindering response efforts. Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, called for military and civilian hospitals, as well as healthcare workers, to work together for an effective medical response. However, in some of the hardest-hit areas, residents reported scarce government assistance, leaving them to fend for themselves.
The entire town of Sagaing, located near the epicenter, was severely devastated, with many buildings collapsed and limited access to electricity and water. Residents in Mandalay reported that most rescue operations were conducted by small, self-organized groups lacking the necessary equipment. A magnitude 5.1 earthquake also occurred near Mandalay, with no casualties reported so far. Many people in Mandalay chose to sleep outdoors on Saturday night, fearing aftershocks could cause further collapse of damaged buildings.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/30/foreign-aid-rushed-to-quake-hit-myanmar-as-more-than-1600-killed?traffic_source=rss
