A catastrophic earthquake in Myanmar has led to significant casualties and injuries while displacing millions, compounding the ongoing civil war's humanitarian crisis.
Devastating Earthquake Strikes Myanmar Amid Ongoing Crisis
Devastating Earthquake Strikes Myanmar Amid Ongoing Crisis
Over 1,600 confirmed dead as aftershocks and military airstrikes complicate relief efforts.
Article text: On March 30, 2025, the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Myanmar has left over 1,600 people dead and more than 3,000 injured, marking the deadliest earthquake to strike the nation in over a century. In Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, the situation has worsened with aftershocks causing further destruction, toppling structures that had initially withstood the quake. Rescue efforts are becoming critical as the crucial 72-hour survival window for the missing looms.
Meanwhile, the country's military junta continues its relentless bombing campaign amidst the chaos. The protracted civil war in Myanmar has already displaced nearly 20 million individuals, with the U.N. emphasizing the worsening humanitarian conditions even before the disaster. Experts suggest that the earthquake could potentially alter the landscape of the ongoing civil conflict, particularly with the rise of the Arakan Army, a prominent rebel group seizing control in Rakhine State, as it could capitalize on the military's diverted focus.
International aid is being dispatched, but concerns persist regarding the Myanmar Army's capability and willingness to distribute essential assistance fairly, as historical precedent indicates a tendency to weaponize humanitarian aid. "They have a long track record of using aid as a weapon," noted Scot Marciel, the former U.S. ambassador to Myanmar. The situation remains precarious and desperate, with millions in need of immediate shelter and sustenance.
