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In the aftermath of a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar, the death toll has tragically exceeded 3,500, with projections indicating it could increase further, according to Titon Mitra, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Representative, who spoke from the city of Mandalay, severely impacted by the quake.
Mr. Mitra noted that the situation is transitioning from immediate rescue operations to long-term recovery efforts, a phase characterized by increasing despair.
The earthquake has left over 4,000 individuals injured, with more than 80 percent of the structures in key areas like Sagaing, Mandalay, and Magway suffering significant damage.
“The health care system is critically overwhelmed; hospitals are struggling to manage the influx of patients,” Mr. Mitra reported, highlighting the acute shortage of medical supplies and healthcare resources.
As per information from the UN’s humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA), more than 500,000 people nationwide are deprived of essential medical care.
Mr. Mitra also raised concerns about the heightened risk of waterborne diseases, as infrastructure for urban water supply has been severely disrupted, leading to compromised sanitation.
“Sanitation is becoming a critical concern as displaced individuals are forced into open defecation,” he cautioned.
The situation has been worsened by unexpected heavy rainfall in Mandalay, complicating disaster response efforts and deteriorating the conditions for those without shelter.
Monsoon Threat
Myanmar’s meteorological department has issued warnings of continuing rain and strong winds across numerous regions until Friday.
Mr. Mitra emphasized that adequate shelter is a pressing problem. Many individuals are “afraid” to return home to their damaged residences and have resorted to sleeping outdoors, often without any cover, he communicated during a video briefing from Geneva.
There is also a significant demand for food supplies as markets have been “severely disrupted” in Sagaing and Magway, leaving many without sources of income and leading to signs of escalating inflation.
The UN system is currently mobilized, and initial assessments of pressing needs are underway. UNDP is also conducting evaluations on the safety of buildings to determine if they can be reoccupied.
This uncertainty has led to a dire situation where patients from a hospital in Sagaing are being treated in the parking lot amid scorching 40°C heat. “If we ascertain that the hospital can accommodate patients safely, we aim to facilitate their return as soon as possible,” he explained.
Despite ongoing hostilities, Mr. Mitra expressed cautious optimism about delivering aid to those in need, given the ceasefire announced by military and resistance forces shortly after the catastrophe.
Aid Access Plea
Military authorities currently oversee many regions affected by the earthquake and are coordinating relief efforts.
“Since the civil conflict is still active, we must ensure that aid coordinated by military authorities reaches areas under resistance control,” he emphasized.
The earthquake, which ranks as one of the deadliest natural disasters in Myanmar’s history, only behind Cyclone Nargis, has exacerbated the many vulnerabilities that the nation faces, as highlighted by the UNDP official.
Over the last four years, the people of Myanmar have endured conflict following the military coup in February 2021, leading to widespread suffering. Before the earthquakes, nearly 20 percent of rice production had already been lost to violence, and over 3.5 million individuals had been displaced. More than 15 million are grappling with food insecurity, and approximately 19.9 million are in urgent need of assistance.
“I hope… once the world’s attention shifts away from Myanmar, as it has often done, this does not become yet another forgotten crisis,” Mr. Mitra concluded, calling for sustained focus and support for the region.
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news.un.org