International aid flows to Myanmar after devastating quake

The United Nations and international aid organisations are scrambling to respond to the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday, leaving thousands dead and entire communities in ruins.

The 7.7-magnitude quake, which rocked central Myanmar, caused widespread destruction in cities such as Mandalay, Sagaing, and Naypyitaw, overwhelming hospitals and displacing tens of thousands of people. The death toll has reached at least 1,700, but that figure is expected to rise in the coming days. 

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has begun to organise relief efforts, deploying emergency teams to assess damage and facilitate aid distribution, a statement from the office said.