Soaking Misery: The Relentless Struggle of Mandalay After the Earthquake
Myanmar's earthquake aftermath worsens due to flooding, with the death toll persistently climbing - Quake-related calamity in Myanmar intensifies due to rain; casualty count steadily ascends
Over the weekend, the residents of Mandalay, a city of 1.7 million, found themselves confronted with an agonizing choice: braving the elements at night or returning to potentially unstable homes, a decision made even more challenging by the rain. Many in Myanmar are captives of the outdoors or makeshift tents, either due to their homes' destruction or the fear of damaged ones.
In a video published on X, the UN's emergency coordinator, Tom Fletcher, emphasized their plight on Sunday. "People are now trying to rebuild their lives," he said. "They need food. They need water. They need electricity back," Fletcher added. "We need to provide tents and give hope to the survivors in the rebuilding process," was another appeal from him.
As the human toll in Southeast Asia continues to climb, the death toll in Myanmar stands at an alarming 3471 fatalities and 4671 injuries, with 214 people reported as missing.
The epicenter of the earthquake that struck on March 28 was the region surrounding Mandalay. The aftershocks were also felt in neighboring countries. Notably, the collapse of a 30-story building under construction in the Thai capital Bangkok resulted in the recovery of 22 lives.
A tense situation unfolded last Friday when Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar's military junta, traveled to a regional summit in Bangkok. The move sparked widespread protests in the neighboring country. In Myanmar, ongoing confrontations between the army and multiple armed ethnic and pro-democracy groups persist. In a bid to facilitate disaster relief and reconstruction in Myanmar, the junta declared a temporary ceasefire on Wednesday.
Despite this ceasefire, the UN human rights office reported 16 air strikes by the military in various regions of the country since Wednesday, including earthquake-affected areas.
Unforeseen Challenges: Rain's Malevolent Effects
Hefty rains have added to the already formidable challenges faced by the crisis-struck regions, particularly Mandalay and Sagaing. The downpour led to flooding and the contamination of water sources, severely increasing the likelihood of waterborne illnesses like diarrhea and cholera. The lack of proper sanitation and clean water, combined with flooded drains and poor hygiene conditions in shelters, intensifies public health risks. Furthermore, the rains have aggravated the living conditions for those temporarily lodged in makeshift accommodations or open spaces.
International Support at the Forefront
The global community has stepped forward to offer assistance to Myanmar during this critical time:
- Oxfam is providing essential aid, including life-saving water, hygiene, and dignity essentials, such as mosquito nets, blankets, and cooked food, predominantly aimed at the most vulnerable demographics like women, children, and people with disabilities.
- Save the Children is working diligently to address the immediate needs of children and their families, offering food, water, shelter, personal hygiene kits, and emergency healthcare services.
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Myanmar Red Cross Society, along with other partners, are delivering critical support, coordinating closely with local health authorities to address those most urgently in need.
- Myanmar Authorities are involved in the search and rescue efforts, collaborating with international teams, assessing infrastructure damage, and restoring essential services like railways and airports.
As the crisis continues largely underfunded, the UN has estimated that over 17 million people are affected, with significant international aid being mobilized.
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the international support from organizations such as Oxfam, Save the Children, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the Myanmar Authorities, who are providing essential aid to the people of Myanmar.
- Over the weekend, floodwaters and contaminated water sources posed a significant risk to the already beleaguered residents of Mandalay and Sagaing, adding to their struggles, while in Myanmar, the UN human rights office reported 16 air strikes by the military in various regions of the country since Wednesday, including earthquake-affected areas.
- In response to the relentless struggle of Mandalay's residents and the need for a temporary ceasefire to facilitate disaster relief efforts in Myanmar, the UN's emergency coordinator, Tom Fletcher, urged for provision of tents and support for the survivors in the rebuilding process, with the human toll in Southeast Asia continuing to rise, as the death toll in Myanmar currently stands at 4671 fatalities and 3471 missing or injured individuals.
