Photo credit: UNICEF Myanmar

Myanmar is in turmoil after two powerful earthquakes—measuring 7.7 and 6.4 in magnitude—shook the country’s central region northwest of Sagaing. The destruction is widespread, hospitals are overwhelmed, and thousands of people are in desperate need of help.

Chaos and Destruction

The earthquakes struck multiple regions, including Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Northeastern Shan, and Sagaing, leaving behind a trail of devastation. More than 1,600 houses, nearly 700 monasteries, 60 schools, and three bridges have been damaged. There are also growing fears about the stability of large dams in the affected areas.

In Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, internet communication is down, and both land and air travel have been severely disrupted. News reports indicate that hundreds of people are trapped under collapsed buildings. In just one apartment block, more than 90 individuals remain buried under rubble. Meanwhile, at least 50 construction workers in Bangkok, Thailand, are unaccounted for after a building collapse linked to the quake.

Health System on the Brink

With hospitals overwhelmed and medical infrastructure heavily damaged, Myanmar’s healthcare system is struggling to cope. Emergency medical teams are preparing to deploy mobile surgical units and field hospitals to provide urgent care. The World Health Organization (WHO) is also working to send critical medical supplies, including trauma kits, blood bags, anesthesia, and essential medicines.

But the situation is dire. Even before the quake, nearly 20 million people in Myanmar were already in need of humanitarian assistance due to ongoing conflicts and previous natural disasters. Now, that number is expected to rise sharply.

Calls for International Aid Amid Conflict

The military-led government has called for international assistance, but Myanmar’s deep political crisis complicates relief efforts. The country has been locked in a brutal civil war since the military coup in 2021, with opposition forces and airstrikes continuing even after the earthquake. Reports indicate that air raids have taken place in the Sagaing region, adding to the suffering of civilians.

Despite these challenges, humanitarian organizations are mobilizing quickly. The UN has already released $5 million in emergency aid, with an additional $10 million coming from donor contributions. UNICEF is also rushing to deliver lifesaving supplies such as tents, hygiene kits, and medical resources.

A Country in Crisis

For Myanmar, this earthquake is just the latest in a series of disasters. Over the past year, the country has endured catastrophic flooding and a deadly cyclone, weakening its ability to recover. UN officials stress that Myanmar’s people need urgent support from the international community—now more than ever.

“The resilience of the people is being eroded,” said Marcoluigi Corsi, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Myanmar. “At this critical time, they need the full support of the world.”

With roads blocked, hospitals in crisis, and thousands of people still missing, the situation in Myanmar remains critical. The coming days will be crucial in determining how much aid can reach those who need it most.