Aftermath of the Devastating Earthquake in Burma
Just three days following the most catastrophic earthquake to strike Burma in over a century, which brought down monasteries and buildings in the war-torn city of Sagaing, the flow of aid has only just begun, trickling in slowly. The city’s population of 300,000 has largely been left to fend for themselves after the magnitude 7.7 quake severely damaged infrastructure, including roads, leading authorities to close a bridge for safety reasons. This region was already facing significant isolation, compounded by the military’s blockade of internet access as it continues its conflict against local rebels in an ongoing civil war.
On Monday night, some international aid organizations began to arrive in Sagaing. However, local volunteers eager to assist in search and rescue efforts reported that the military was obstructing their access. “We are not allowed to enter freely to provide assistance,” stated U Tin Shwe, a resident of Sagaing, while standing outside a military barricade near a monastery that had collapsed, with monks still trapped beneath the rubble. “Rescue operations can only be conducted with their permission.”
The military government announced on Monday that the death toll from the earthquake, which devastated vast areas of Burma, including Sagaing, as well as the cities of Mandalay and Naypyidaw, has risen to 2,056, a significant increase from the approximately 1,700 reported on Saturday. Additionally, around 3,900 individuals have sustained injuries. Preliminary models from the United States Geological Survey suggest that the final death toll may exceed 10,000.
