rPress and internet estricts imposed by the military junta that controls Myanmar means that information about the powerful earthquake that hit the country on Friday just before 1pm local time was even more incomplete than usual in the aftermath of the disaster. At least 144 people have been reportedly killed – the death toll is certainly rising – while a state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok, the Thai capital. There, eight people have been confirmed dead, but dozens of construction workers fear that they are trapped behind a skyscraper working on the collapse. More aftershocks are expected, making the work of rescuers and those providing humanitarian assistance in both countries more difficult.
Earthquakes magnitude 7.7 have been the most severe of collisions into the region since 1956. This means that buildings are not designed with this threat in mind. Disasters could not come at a bad time for the people of Myanmar. united nations. In Rakhine, two million people are at risk of hunger, and the junta is accused of giving them “collective punishment.” An estimated 6.7 million children live in earthquake-affected areas, including Mandalay, a country 17km from the epicenter. As this was Friday, many people are thought to have been crushed as the busy mosque fell over during Ramadan.
Four years after the military seized control in a coup, it fought between the Army and rebel groups. Many of them support a parallel, unified government of state formed from the wreckage of the National League that abdicated for democracy, and were promised astounding prospects by the junta. Last year, a BBC survey estimated that the resistance group known as the People's Defense Forces was responsible for 42% of the country's land area and only 21% under the control of the junta. In this situation, elections, partly urged by China, do not alleviate population difficulties and there is fear of strengthening the country's civil war.
The earthquake is an even bigger set-off just six months after many villages were destroyed and at least 226 people were killed in floods and landslides. Typhoon Yagi. Now, as such, isolated military rulers in Myanmar are demanding international support. As amnesty and others warn of the impact of US aid cuts on relief efforts, the EU and other countries must do everything they can to ensure life-saving food and medical supplies are provided, along with the safe access required by human rights groups.
Guarantees from Jin Mar Aung, the top diplomat of the National Unity Rebels, welcomed the provision of aid to areas controlled by the people's defense forces. However, efforts to coordinate support and channel resources are full of challenges. Central Myanmar, including Mandalay, is run by a military regime. In other words, international aid efforts can work together to reach them.
The UN and international donors must work with the local government governing them to know what is happening elsewhere and to obtain assistance in areas that are less accessible. The administration cannot allow control of the flow of aid. In doing so, it can use disasters to strengthen the enemy's power and its suffering among the people of Myanmar.
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