In the wake of two severe earthquakes that struck Myanmar last Friday, causing significant human and infrastructural losses, UN officials have made a public call for an immediate ceasefire. Approximately 2,000 people perished in the tremors, which severely stretched the country’s already fragile infrastructure. The UN’s plea, delivered by UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator Marcoluigi Corsi, included a statement expressing condolences to the victims while highlighting the urgency of the situation. The full statement underscores the importance of immediate support to assist Myanmar in grappling with this tragedy (statement).
The earthquakes have compounded the existing turmoil resulting from the ongoing civil conflict post the February 2021 military coup. Myanmar has been plagued by internal displacement issues with nearly 20 million people requiring humanitarian assistance before the quakes (military coup reference). The UN has been swift in its response, allocating an initial $15 million for emergency operations such as deploying medical teams and providing essential resources like shelter materials and sanitation supplies. Countries worldwide have also sent rescue teams, including paramedics and search dogs, to bolster relief efforts (food aid).
UN Special Envoy on Myanmar, Julie Bishop, has echoed the call for unity and support, remarking on the compounding effects of the disaster on an already fragile state. She reported widespread damage that has made communication and rescue efforts difficult, isolating many victims from aid (statement).
Humanitarian organizations, including Amnesty International, have urged the Myanmar military to provide unobstructed access for humanitarian missions to prevent further delays in critical relief operations amidst the compounded challenges of US aid cuts and reduced global funding in 2025 (US aid cuts).
The earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.7 and 6.4, struck near Mandalay and Sagaing, affecting areas as far as Bago, Magway, and parts of Shan State, resulting in widespread damage. The dual quakes left hospitals overwhelmed, communications disrupted, and countless lives uprooted, intensifying the humanitarian crisis many in Myanmar already face.