The death toll from the powerful earthquake in Myanmar has risen to over 3,300, according to state media reports on April 5, while the UN humanitarian chief has called on the world to help Myanmar.
The earthquake on March 28 destroyed buildings and infrastructure across the country, resulting in 3,354 deaths and 4,508 injuries. According to figures released by state media, an additional 220 people are considered missing.
More than a week after the disaster, many people in Myanmar are still homeless, and many are forced to sleep on the streets because their homes have either been completely destroyed or are at risk of collapse.
According to UN estimates, more than 3 million people may have been affected by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake.
The UN’s chief humanitarian official, Tom Fletcher, met with earthquake victims in the city of Mandalay in Myanmar on Saturday and saw firsthand the damage caused in the city.
“The destruction is immense,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“The world must help the people of Myanmar,” he added, according to REL.
Since the military coup in 2021, Myanmar has been ruled by a junta, leading to a civil conflict. The junta is reported to have carried out dozens of attacks since the earthquake, including 16 attacks since a temporary ceasefire was declared on Wednesday, according to the UN a day earlier.
Years of warfare have led to the destruction of Myanmar’s economy and infrastructure, posing a major obstacle to international efforts to provide aid to the country after the powerful earthquake.
China, Russia, and India were among the first countries to offer support, sending teams to Myanmar to help search for survivors.
The United States announced on Friday that it is increasing its aid to Myanmar, with assistance reaching $9 million.
