Myanmar continues to desperately need medical assistance, field hospitals and shelters after the country was shaken by one of the strongest earthquakes in its history. This was stated by Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sanggiampongsa, quoted by "Reuters", emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts and long-term international support, BTA reports.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit an area where 28 million people live. It collapsed buildings, leveled entire villages and left many people without food, water and shelter. According to official figures, the number of victims is 3,645, 5,017 are injured and 148 are missing. Nearly 49,000 homes and more than 2,100 government buildings have been destroyed.
On Saturday, the foreign ministers of Thailand and Malaysia met with Myanmar officials in the capital Naypyidaw to discuss the urgent humanitarian situation.
“Myanmar urgently needs field hospitals,“ said Maris. “Existing medical facilities cannot function properly due to the damage,” he added.
Among other urgent needs, he cited temporary shelters, mosquito nets, food, water filters and access to clean drinking water. He also expressed serious concerns about the risk of spreading infectious diseases, especially among people left homeless in the high temperatures.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs thanked more than 30 search and rescue teams from 13 countries who participated in the rescue operations. "Their expertise was crucial in the immediate aftermath of the disaster - they helped locate survivors and support communities in their darkest hours," the agency said in a Facebook post.
The tragedy is another heavy blow for Myanmar, which even before the disaster was suffering from an economic crisis and an ongoing civil war that erupted after a military coup in 2021. According to the UN, even before the earthquake, about 3.5 million people in the country were internally displaced.
The military junta and armed rebel groups have declared a temporary ceasefire to facilitate rescue operations. However, both sides accuse each other of violating the agreement.