Days after a catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar, the crisis is far from over. Buildings are still collapsing, adding to the dangers faced by rescue workers struggling to save lives amid the wreckage.
The death toll from the earthquake has already surpassed 2,700, with thousands more injured, according to Myanmar’s military junta. Hundreds remain missing, making it likely that the number of fatalities will continue to climb.
Despite the overwhelming destruction, moments of hope have emerged. On Wednesday, the Myanmar Fire Services Department shared footage of a miraculous rescue in the military capital, Naypyidaw. More than 100 hours after the earthquake, a man was pulled from an air pocket between shattered concrete slabs. Though exhausted and disoriented, he was greeted with applause from rescuers and onlookers. A day earlier, a 62-year-old woman was also rescued from the debris in Naypyidaw. Meanwhile, a team of Chinese rescuers in Mandalay saved four people on Monday, including a five-year-old child and a pregnant woman.
But the destruction isn’t over. Unstable structures across the country continue to collapse due to ongoing tremors, making the rescue mission even more dangerous. On Monday night, two hotels in Mandalay—Myanmar’s second-largest city—collapsed after people returned to the damaged buildings.
“With these additional tremors, fatalities are still occurring,” warned Michael Dunford, Myanmar director for the United Nations World Food Programme. “Many people are sleeping in the open, too afraid to return to their homes. This makes it even harder for us to reach them with the aid they so desperately need.”
Humanitarian organizations stress that the need for aid is dire, especially in remote areas where access has been hampered by both the earthquake’s destruction and Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict.
In Sagaing, near the quake’s epicenter, residents describe heartbreaking scenes of desperation. Amnesty International reported that survivors urgently need body bags, flashlights, and mosquito repellents. However, getting supplies into affected areas is proving difficult. The military, which controls much of Sagaing, has imposed strict surveillance on vehicles transporting aid, conducting lengthy inspections—especially for deliveries from regions linked to resistance groups.
Myanmar’s military junta, which seized power in 2021, insists it is allowing aid to reach those in need. But rights groups accuse the government of restricting access to some of the worst-hit areas. “The junta must break from its past and ensure aid gets to those whose lives are at risk,” said Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
Meanwhile, the rebel group known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance announced a temporary ceasefire to allow rescue efforts to proceed. “We strongly support urgent humanitarian efforts to help the earthquake victims,” the alliance stated, urging all sides to allow relief operations to continue unimpeded.
Despite the challenges, international assistance is making its way to Myanmar. China, Russia, and Pakistan have all sent rescue teams, and two Indian naval vessels carrying humanitarian aid docked in Yangon on Tuesday. However, obstacles remain. On Wednesday, Myanmar’s military admitted firing warning shots at a Chinese Red Cross convoy delivering aid, citing ongoing clashes with rebel groups in the area.
“This is a moment for the world to step up,” urged Marcoluigi Corsi, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Myanmar. He highlighted the chronic underfunding of aid efforts in the country, pointing out that only a fraction of the $1.1 billion required for Myanmar’s humanitarian response plan has been received so far this year.
The earthquake’s impact has extended beyond Myanmar. In neighboring Thailand, tremors were felt as far as Bangkok, where at least 22 people lost their lives. Among them, 15 were killed when an under-construction high-rise collapsed in the Thai capital.
As Myanmar continues to grapple with this unfolding disaster, the need for swift and unhindered humanitarian assistance has never been more urgent. The days ahead will be critical in determining how many more lives can be saved—and how the country will begin to rebuild from this tragedy.
