The death toll from last week’s earthquake in Myanmar has risen to 3,354, as UN agencies and foreign donors continue to increase their emergency response efforts.

In the midst of rescue and recovery operations, a former US government employee has revealed that three aid workers from Myanmar have been dismissed – they were informed after arriving in Myanmar.

The 7.7 magnitude earthquake caused significant damage across six regions, including the capital Naypyitaw, with damage to roads and bridges hindering the assessment of the full extent of the devastation.

The disaster has worsened the country’s already dire humanitarian crisis, caused by the civil war which has displaced more than 3 million people, according to the United Nations.

The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported today that the number of deaths from last Friday’s earthquake has reached 3,354, with 4,850 people injured and 220 missing.

Rescuers have saved 653 survivors trapped under the debris, the paper added.

The updated death toll comes as a former official at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) stated that three workers who had traveled to Myanmar to assist with rescue efforts were informed recently about the termination of their jobs.

“This team is working incredibly hard, focused on getting humanitarian aid to those in need. To receive news of your imminent termination – how can that not be demoralizing?” Marcia Wong told Reuters.

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Ms. Wong said the terminations will take effect in a few months. She mentioned that she remains in contact with the remaining USAID staff and learned about the terminations during an all-staff meeting on Friday.

Donald Trump‘s administration pledged at least $9m to Myanmar after the earthquake, but the administration’ssignificant cuts to USAID have hindered its ability to respond.

The Trump administration has dismissed nearly all USAID staff in recent weeks, following funding cuts and dismissals by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency.

Former USAID staff report that most of those who would have coordinated the Myanmar response are among those dismissed, while third-party partners have lost their contracts.