Natural Disasters vs. Man-Made Catastrophes in Myanmar

Myanmar is trapped in a cycle of disasters—one after another—not only natural disasters but also man-made catastrophes.

When a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, the ground shook violently, toppling homes, schools and temples. Sagaing, Mandalay, Naypyitaw and other cities were almost flattened. Aung Ban and Inle Lake in Shan State have also been badly affected.

Within hours, the death toll climbed into the hundreds; within days it was in the thousands. Millions of people have been affected. But the victims are helpless as the ruling junta, too busy waging war against its own people, was unprepared for such an event.