New Q&A report by HRW addresses important issues following earthquake disaster in Myanmar

Mizzima

A new Q&A report by Human Rights Watch addresses key concerns following earthquake which caused widespread devastation in Myanmar. In the report, Crisis Group export Richard Horsey discusses the urgent need for international assistance, the challenges facing aid delivery amid a civil war and the importance of a humanitarian pause in the fighting.

The 7.7-magnitude quake struck central Myanmar on 28 March killing at least 2,700 people and causing widespread destruction. The death toll is likely to rise in coming days as more information becomes available. The epicentre was near the town of Sagaing and Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city.

Few search and rescue resources were immediately available in Myanmar. The result was people forced to dig through the rubble with their bare hands in search of survivors. The military, which would normally assist in such operations, was scarcely seen.

According to Richard Horsey, “search efforts were slow-going, and most of those trapped in the fierce summer hear had perished before they could be extricated.”