![Devastation in the disaster zone is immense (Archive image) [Photography]](/en/img/20250407050531_disaster-area-massive-damage-site-pexels.jpeg)
A Long, Relentless Ascent: The Tragedy in Post-Earthquake Myanmar
Following the earthquake, heavy rainfall further intensifies the misery in Myanmar - Earthquake Strikes, Followed by Rain: Gloom in Myanmar
The devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7, which struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, has left a trail of despair, with over 3,600 lives lost and millions affected[1][2]. The wake of destruction has brought considerable challenges that strain existing health crises and conflict-related struggles in affected areas, such as Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Sagaing, and Shan State[1].
Ten days on, heavy rain obstructs relief efforts, exacerbating the situation for those left vulnerable. Media reports tell of tents and temporary clinics erected by aid workers being destroyed by rain and strong winds. Floods and landslides pose a constant threat, as per "The Irrawaddy's" reports, citing local meteorologists[2]. As the rainy season looms on the horizon, concerns grow about the spread of waterborne diseases and vector-borne illnesses due to limited access to safe water and sanitation facilities[1].
The military junta announced the death toll and reported a total of 5,000 injured, while over 160 people remain missing[2]. The majority of the victims were found around the second-largest city of Mandalay, where more than 2,100 residents lost their lives. Aid workers and eyewitnesses fear that the actual number of dead may be significantly higher[2]. Cleanup efforts have begun, but rescue operations are far from over, as mass cremations take place daily[2].
Meanwhile, the scent of decomposing bodies hangs heavy in the air, making living conditions nearly unbearable for those who choose to remain[2]. Thousands continue to sleep outside, fearing aftershocks and reluctant to return home.
"Disasters do not discriminate against the poor and vulnerable," wrote UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, who is on-site[3]. "They particularly affect the poorest, who lack the means to survive and rebuild their lives." An estimated 80% of the city of Sagaing lies in ruins, as per eyewitness accounts[1]. Frequent internet outages make it difficult to obtain reliable information in a country that has been plagued by conflict and military rule since a coup in 2021[3].
The efforts of humanitarian organizations such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the Chinese Red Cross are making a difference in providing aid, medical care, and essential items in affected areas[1]. Heightened concerns about long-term consequences and public health risks underscore the critical importance of continued, uninterrupted aid access[1].
- Earthquake
- Myanmar
- Rain
- Natural Disaster
- Despair
- Naypyidaw
- Military Junta
- Mandalay
- Weekend
- Despite the relentless rain and subsequent flooding in post-earthquake Myanmar, aid organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the Chinese Red Cross continue to work tirelessly, providing essential aid, medical care, and supplies to those in need.
- As the decomposition of bodies accelerates amidst the ongoing rainfall in Myanmar, hopes for a swift and uninterrupted recovery grow dim in the face of burgeoning waterborne diseases and vector-borne illnesses.
- In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck central Myanmar, the commission has taken steps to ensure that the EU's financial contribution to the fight against terrorism is limited to the minimum necessary, ensuring that resources are prioritized for humanitarian efforts amidst the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.
