Myanmar earthquake prompts international aid appeal amid crisis

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, resulting in at least 144 fatalities and over 730 injuries. As rescue operations continue, officials anticipate the death toll may rise, given the extensive damage and ongoing challenges faced by responders.

The earthquake, one of the most significant to hit the region in recent years, sent tremors across Southeast Asia, with reports of impacts felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand, and Yunnan province in China.

In a surprising move, Myanmar's military government, which has maintained a stance of isolation during the country's civil war, declared a state of emergency and issued a rare appeal for international assistance. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing extended an invitation to organizations and nations willing to provide aid. “We issue an open invitation to any organizations and nations willing to come and help the people in need within our country,” he announced late Friday.

The earthquake's epicenter was located near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city with a population of approximately 1.5 million. Eyewitness accounts and videos shared online depict significant destruction, with buildings reduced to rubble and roads severely damaged.

In addition to the devastation in Myanmar, neighboring Thailand also experienced substantial impacts. In Bangkok, an under-construction high-rise building near Chatuchak Park collapsed, resulting in at least eight deaths and trapping over 100 individuals. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared an emergency zone in the capital, initiating rescue operations to locate survivors.

The disaster strikes Myanmar amid a dire humanitarian crisis. Since the 2021 military coup, the nation has been engulfed in a brutal civil war, with armed rebel groups asserting control over vast areas. This ongoing conflict has severely compromised Myanmar's healthcare system and disaster response capabilities.itarian organizations, including Amnesty International, have called on the junta to permit unrestricted access for aid groups. Tom Andrew, the United Nations special rapporteur for Myanmar, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “This earthquake is a disaster on top of a disaster.” He highlighted that more than 20 million people in Myanmar are already in need of humanitarian support, with 3.5 million internally displaced due to the ongoing conflict.