The death toll from the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28 has tragically climbed above 3,300, according to the latest figures released by state media on Saturday. As the scale of the disaster continues to unfold, the United Nations aid chief has renewed his urgent appeal to the international community to step up assistance for the disaster-stricken nation.
The powerful earthquake flattened buildings and ravaged infrastructure across the country. The updated figures indicate a grim toll of 3,354 deaths and 4,508 people injured, with 220 individuals still unaccounted for.
More than a week after the catastrophic event, a significant portion of the population remains without adequate shelter. Many are forced to sleep outdoors, either because their homes have been completely destroyed or due to ongoing fears of further structural collapses from aftershocks.
A United Nations estimate suggests that the magnitude 7.7 quake may have affected over three million people. This immense humanitarian crisis compounds the already dire situation in Myanmar, which has been grappling with the challenges posed by four years of ongoing civil war, further straining resources and hindering relief efforts.
The UN’s top aid official met with victims in Mandalay, the city near the earthquake’s epicenter, on Saturday, describing the destruction as “staggering.” He emphasized the urgent need for a robust global response to support the people of Myanmar during this critical time.
While China, Russia, and India were among the first nations to offer support, sending rescue teams and aid, the scale of the disaster necessitates a broader international effort to provide essential resources such as shelter, medical care, food, and clean water to the millions affected.
