Casualties and Damage

As of Saturday, the Myanmar military government reported a grim tally of 1,644 fatalities, with injuries climbing to 3,408 and at least 139 individuals missing, according to CBS News partner BBC. The earthquake also impacted neighboring Thailand, where at least 10 people were confirmed dead in Bangkok.

Francesco Capoluongo, representative of the International Federation of the Red Cross in Myanmar, indicated that around 18 million people reside in the earthquake-affected areas. Capoluongo noted that the death toll is expected to continue to rise, highlighting the urgent need for rescue and relief efforts.

“The search and rescue is still ongoing,” she stated. “It’s very difficult now to validate any figure, and we know that it will continue to increase and (that) many of these 18 million people are now without safe shelter, access to clean water, reliable health care.”

Ongoing Rescue Operations

In the chaos following the earthquake, many rescue teams are facing difficulties due to ongoing conflicts within the country. Access to affected regions is complicated by a protracted civil war, which has exacerbated an already critical humanitarian crisis.

To facilitate relief efforts, the Myanmar National Unity Government announced a partial ceasefire, enabling search operations to proceed in earthquake-affected areas.

Impact in Thailand

The earthquake also resonated in Thailand, particularly in the greater Bangkok region. Officials reported six fatalities, at least 26 injuries, and numerous individuals unaccounted for, with the majority linked to a construction site incident near Chatuchak market.

Authorities are working tirelessly to clear debris and aid in rescue operations. However, the hope of finding survivors is diminishing for many families awaiting news of missing loved ones.

International Response and Aid

As rescue efforts continue, international aid is beginning to arrive. Numerous countries, including China, Russia, and India, have pledged support, sending rescue teams and supplies. Notably, China dispatched over 135 rescue personnel alongside medical supplies and generators, and pledged nearly $13.8 million in aid.

“We are ready to accept outside assistance,” said Min Aung Hlaing, indicating a shift in Myanmar’s stance towards foreign aid following past reluctance.

The Broader Context: Natural Disaster Amid Conflict

Myanmar is facing not only the immediate aftermath of the earthquake but also a civil war that has created instability across the country. Military actions have continued despite the quake, highlighting a dual crisis of natural disaster and armed conflict.

According to Dave Eubank, a humanitarian worker in Myanmar, the destruction caused by the earthquake has compounded the challenges faced by those displaced by fighting. “Most villages have already been destroyed by military action, so the earthquake had little impact on them,” he stated.