Rain slows aid as Myanmar quake toll nears 3,500

Rising death toll and injuries
State media now confirm the death toll has climbed to 3,471, with 4,671 people injured and 214 still missing. Thousands have been left homeless or afraid to remain in damaged buildings.

Living conditions in Mandalay
In Mandalay, many are sleeping in makeshift tents; however, over the weekend, wind and rain battered these fragile shelters. This forced people to choose between enduring the weather outside or risking collapse by sheltering indoors.

Urgent need for aid
Aid organizations report that food, clean water, and electricity are urgently needed. Concerns are mounting over the potential for disease outbreaks due to the wet conditions and extreme heat in overcrowded camps.

Humanitarian assistance challenges
Tents, medical supplies, and essential aid are being rushed to the affected regions, though access remains a major hurdle. Efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance are further complicated by Myanmar’s ongoing political and military crisis.

Impact of Military Rule
The country has been under military rule since 2021, and communication lines and transport infrastructure have weakened due to years of civil war. Even after the quake, the military has continued its operations against armed opposition groups, despite announcing a temporary ceasefire.

Aftershocks and regional response
Aftershocks continue to rattle the region, with a 4.7-magnitude tremor recorded near Mandalay on Friday. Regional discussions are underway among neighboring countries to coordinate stronger support and emergency responses for the crisis-stricken population, as Myanmar faces one of its most severe natural disasters in recent years.