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UN appeals for urgent aid after earthquakes in Myanmar; aftershocks hinder response
Summary
The UN reported widespread damage and urgent needs after recent earthquakes in Myanmar, noting aftershocks, disease risks, and critical shortages of water, shelter and medical supplies.
United Nations officials said humanitarian partners are supporting people affected by recent devastating earthquakes in Myanmar, but that dozens of aftershocks and damaged infrastructure are complicating relief efforts.
The spokesperson said many people in Mandalay City — described as one of the worst-affected areas and near the epicenter — are cut off from electricity and running water and that aftershocks are preventing many from returning home. Humanitarian teams reported rising cases of acute diarrhea and other health needs among displaced populations, particularly in Mandalay and the Sagaing region.
The UN update listed immediate needs including urgent health care, medical supplies, safe drinking water, food, tents and temporary shelter, latrines and hygiene items, and psychosocial support. The briefing said humanitarian workers provided food and cash assistance to more than 10,000 people in Mandalay on the most recent day and that the day before nearly 20,000 people received cash for emergency food and shelter in areas including Wetlet and Sagaing.
Water-trucking operations were reported to be serving approximately 45,000 people in Naypyidaw Territory, though the spokesperson cautioned that more than 300,000 people need that kind of support. In Mandalay, more than 20 latrines have been constructed at displacement sites, and 3 metric tons of medical supplies, including trauma kits, were delivered to hospitals in Mandalay and Naypyidaw within 24 hours of the earthquake. Nearly 30 field medical stations were established in the most-affected areas to provide emergency care.
The spokesperson stressed that “funding, however, remains critically low,” and appealed to the international community to step up support. The UN said partners continue assessments, logistics mobilization and prepositioning supplies, and called for scaled-up funding to match the scale of needs.
The briefing also said the Security Council received updates on protection of UN and associated personnel in the region and that humanitarian teams continue to monitor health and protection risks in displacement sites.
