Geneva (VNA) - The United Nations (UN) on April 1 provided an optimistic update on the ongoing humanitarian relief efforts in Myanmar following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. in Myanmar Marcoluigi Corsi, reported that aid initiatives are proceeding smoothly without significant obstacles.
UNICEF’s Deputy Representative Julia Rees said the needs are massive, and they are rising by the hour. Families are facing acute shortages of clean water, food, and medical supplies.
The psychological trauma is immense. For children who were already living through conflict and displacement, this disaster has added yet another layer of fear and loss.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that local search and rescue teams, supported by international units, are intensifying efforts, especially in central Myanmar, which continues to experience aftershocks.
According to Dr. Fernando Thushara, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Myanmar, healthcare facilities in capital Nay Pyi Taw are overwhelmed. The lack of electricity, fuel, and clean water is hampering treatment efforts and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.
Meanwhile, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has warned that temperatures as high as 40°C are hindering rescue operations. The organisation has proposed a relief package worth 113 million USD to assist approximately 100,000 affected individuals.
The situation in Myanmar is extremely dire, with over 2,050 people reported dead, more than 3,900 injured, and 270 missing. However, the death toll is expected to rise as many areas remain isolated and communication has been lost following the disaster./.
Myanmar earthquake: Intensified int’l efforts for disaster relief
Japan will dispatch a team of medical personnel to Myanmar to provide emergency assistance in response to the devastating earthquake that struck the Southeast Asian nation last week.
