BANGKOK — Following the powerful earthquake that hit Myanmar and Thailand, international aid has accelerated into Southeast Asia. Myanmar has become the focus of these relief operations as the death toll climbed to 1,644 by Sunday afternoon.
The devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck on Friday, sparking concerns that the number of fatalities will rise. As of Sunday, injuries have reached 3,408 people, with 139 reported missing. Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, near the epicenter, bore severe impacts. In Thailand, the death toll reached 17.
Despite the delivery of essential supplies like food and medication to Myanmar, efforts to bring rescue have been hindered by a serious lack of critical medical supplies, including trauma kits, blood bags, anesthetics, assistive devices, vital medications, and tents for health workers, as reported by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“We fear it may be weeks before we understand the full extent of destruction caused by this earthquake,” commented Mohammed Riyas, the Myanmar director for IRC.
Regarding international assistance, here’s an overview of contributions in resources, personnel, and financial aid from various nations and organizations:
**Nations Providing Direct Assistance**
By Sunday, a convoy of 17 Chinese trucks carrying urgent shelter and medical supplies was anticipated to reach Mandalay. China confirmed the dispatch of over 135 rescue personnel and experts inclusive of medical kits, generators, earthquake detectors, and drones, while pledging around $13.8 million in emergency aid.
On Saturday, Hong Kong deployed 51 search-and-rescue professionals, which included firefighters, medics, and two rescue dogs. Their equipment weighed 9 tons and included life detectors and an automatic satellite tracking system. Hong Kong’s government is also allocating about HK$30 million ($3.9 million) from its Disaster Relief Fund for the victims in Myanmar.
Russia’s Emergencies Ministry announced the arrival of 120 rescuers and supplies in Yangon, and their Health Ministry reported sending a seasoned medical team including specialists in infectious diseases, resuscitation, traumatology, and psychology, alongside search and rescue teams equipped with canine units and rubble penetration devices up to 4.5 meters deep.
India has sent two C-17 military transport crafts with a field hospital unit and approximately 120 staff northwest to Mandalay to set up a 60-bed emergency treatment center. India previously indicated plans to dispatch five aircraft and four ships with relief supplies, including rescue and medical teams.
From Malaysia, 50 personnel are being dispatched to support identification and aid for the most affected areas.
South Korea has pledged $2 million in humanitarian assistance through international aid groups.
In New Zealand, Foreign Minister Winston Peters affirmed support for relief efforts via the International Red Cross Movement.
The European Commission assured an emergency release of 2.5 million euros ($2.7 million) for earthquake assistance, elevating the European Union’s total humanitarian aid for Myanmar to over €35 million ($37.8 million) this year.
Ireland announced a €6 million ($6.49 million) aid package, with €3 million ($3.2 million) allocated to support the International Federation of the Red Cross and Myanmar Red Cross Society, plus €1.5 million ($1.6 million) split between the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund and the U.N. Refugee Agency Joint Response Plan.
President Donald Trump stated on Friday that the U.S. would support relief endeavors, but some experts voiced concerns over the pledged effort due to significant cuts in foreign assistance by his administration.
**Contributions from Aid Agencies**
The U.N.’s humanitarian affairs office confirmed coordination with other entities, allocating $5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund for “life-saving assistance.”
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies announced the release of 2 million Swiss francs ($2.2 million) in emergency funds to aid the relief efforts in Myanmar, as stated by Jagan Chapagain, their secretary general and CEO, on social media.
Catholic Relief Services in Myanmar, managed by Cara Bragg from Yangon, noted that local volunteers mainly drive relief efforts in search and rescue operations for missing loved ones.
Despite the international influx of search and rescue teams, Bragg highlighted the severe strains on hospitals coping with the flood of injured victims. A critical shortage of medical supplies persists, and access to food and clean water remains challenging.