Earthquake in Myanmar

Days after the Myanmar earthquake, the Myanmar people continue to power through a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that has devastated the country. 

            The earthquake that struck midday Friday has already reached a death toll of 2700, with more than 4500 people injured and another 500 people still reported missing. Over 1700 houses, 670 monasteries, 60 schools, and 3 bridges were also destroyed.  

            Despite this, the hope in Myanmar has not diminished. A woman was pulled from the rubble, 91 hours after the earthquake first struck.

            Another man was rescued underneath the destruction three days after the earthquake struck.

            “This signal suggests that someone is there, offering hope. We are all moving forward with full effort. The operation to drill into the area continues”, Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said. 

            The earthquake's epicenter was located 10 miles northwest of the town Sagaing. The first blast was at approximately 12:30 pm (MMT). Aftershocks have been occurring for several days, with the last major aftershock being a 5.1 magnitude tremor north-west of Mandalay. 

            It has been declared a state of emergency by six heavily impacted regions: Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Shan, and Nay Pyi Taw.

            Before the earthquake, Myanmar wasn’t doing that much better. In 2021, Myanmar’s military (Tatmadaw) overthrew the elected government (NLD). This coup, which was done because of alleged voter fraud, caused massive protests and the country’s situation escalated into a civil war. 

            The country did announce a ceasefire in the fighting until April 22nd to show compassion for people and families impacted by the earthquake.

The civil war and the earthquake have both caused extreme turmoil in the country, leaving many citizens needing help and wondering what is next for the country.            “I don’t think a country should be fighting a civil war after such a bad event,” Newtown sophomore Aarav Shetty said.

“I don’t know what to think anymore. My heart still trembles when I think of that moment when the earthquake struck. We ran out, but my house is gone. I’m living under a tree. Please help us”, Myanmar citizen Daw Khin Saw Myint said. 

The earthquake was the worst earthquake to hit Myanmar since Taunggyi was hit by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in 1912, over 100 years ago. It was also the deadliest natural disaster to hit the country in years. 

“What we're seeing here in Myanmar is a level of devastation that hasn't been seen in over a century in Asia. This is a level of the earthquake that we're going to see not just today, tomorrow, but for the next few weeks,” acting Head of Delegation Marie Manrique said on CNN. 

Communication has been heavily impacted because of the earthquake. Many people are just finding or still looking for their families. Finding the extent of the damage throughout the country has also been hard without proper communication. 

Multiple countries have sent aid to Myanmar following the disaster. China sent help to Myanmar’s biggest city, Yangon. The U.K, Ireland, and Australia have combined for more than 20 million of financial aid.            President Trump described the earthquake as “terrible” and promised to send help to the country.             “The U.S should send money to Myanmar,” Newtown sophomore Kyle Albrecht said.            The U.S is fulfilling their promise, with them sending a team to fully scope out the damage.            “A USAID team of humanitarian experts based in the region are traveling to Burma now to identify the people’s most pressing needs, including emergency shelter, food, medical needs and access to water,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.            Both Myanmar’s people and the world continue to rapidly adapt to the crisis, holding onto hope for rescue and attempting to rebuild the country successfully. 

Myanmar’s people are holding onto hope and continue to adapt to the crisis while the rest of the world is supplying them with financial aid.