The National Unity Government’s (NUG) Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has announced that the death toll from the earthquake centered in Mandalay and Sagaing Regions has risen to 2,395, with more than 8.5 million people affected. Following the March 28 earthquake, a total of 8,562,555 people have been directly impacted and are in urgent need of emergency assistance.
Due to the closure of the Sagaing-Mandalay road, damage to river bridges and access roads, commodity flow has been halted, leading to shortages and increased prices of fuel and other goods. The NUG has warned that food shortages may occur as the military council’s restrictions on ships and cargo vehicles, including inspections and passage denials, are preventing the replenishment of emergency supplies.
In several townships across Mandalay and Sagaing Regions, the earthquake has caused ground fissures, resulting in groundwater eruptions, wells running dry, and water discoloration, creating difficulties in accessing drinking water. Particularly in Sagaing Township, cases of diarrhea have been confirmed due to contaminated water supplies.
Due to security conditions in Sagaing and Bago Regions, relief organizations must obtain permission from military council-controlled entities, and many are being denied access. As a result, affected areas are not receiving necessary aid. The report also indicates that relief operations face security risks due to the military council’s artillery attacks on some townships in Mandalay Region following the earthquake.
