Capitalizing on Calamity and Chaos in Myanmar

Myanmar’s military leadership never fails to take advantage of human suffering to spin a narrative of legitimacy and political prowess. The devastating earthquake on March 28 that struck Central Myanmar was the latest in decades of natural disasters that have wreaked havoc across the country and decimated lives and property, almost invariably of the most vulnerable and already desperate communities. The death and destruction experienced by people in Sagaing, Mandalay, Inle Lake, Taungoo and many other places have been shocking. The death toll has climbed to over 3,600 people, with an estimated 17 million directly impacted, nine million terribly affected.