A Chinese rescuer works in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 31 (XINHUA)

The strongest earthquake to hit Myanmar in over a century has caused huge damage and numerous deaths since it struck the Southeast Asian country on March 28. As of April 2, the 7.9-magnitude quake had killed 2,886 people and wounded 4,639, according to official statistics. The numbers are expected to rise as rescue efforts and damage assessments continue.

The quake's epicenter was near Sagaing, affecting Myanmar's second largest city of Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw, the capital, Myanmar's most populated city and home to 1.5 million people.

Relief difficulties

The main airport in Nay Pyi Taw was closed after the earthquake caused its air traffic control tower to collapse. The radar systems at the airports in both Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay were no longer operating, making it impossible for them to accept any flights. As a result, Yangon was the only operational airport in the country handling relief flights in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.

Adding to the difficulty of relief efforts, the bridge over the Irrawaddy River near Mandalay was destroyed, making it difficult for aid to come from other cities. Efforts were further hampered by power outages, fuel shortages and failing communications infrastructure.

A lack of heavy machinery slowed search-and-rescue operations, forcing many to dig through rubble by hand in temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.

The World Health Organization reported that three hospitals were destroyed and 22 others were partially damaged. The region urgently needed trauma and surgical care, blood transfusion supplies, anesthetics, essential medicines, and mental health support.

"We're still unclear on the full scale of the destruction," Lauren Ellery, Deputy Director of Programs in Myanmar for the International Rescue Committee, was quoted in an April 1 Associated Press report as saying.

International assistance

Multiple Chinese teams have carried out rescue at the quake site, working with local responders around the clock to search for survivors. They include the China Search and Rescue Team (CSAR), the China International Search and Rescue Team (CISAR), local rescue teams from China's Yunnan Province and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and non-governmental humanitarian organizations—the Blue Sky Rescue Team and the Rescue Team of Ramunion. Chinese rescuers had saved eight lives as of 8 a.m. on April 1.

On March 29, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended condolences to Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing over the massive earthquake. In a message, Xi said he was shocked to learn of the strong earthquake in Myanmar, which caused heavy casualties and property losses.

On behalf of the Chinese Government and people, Xi mourned the deaths and extended sincere condolences to the bereaved families, the injured and the people affected by the disaster.

China and Myanmar are a community with a shared future sharing weal and woe, and the two peoples enjoy a profound fraternal friendship, Xi said.

China is ready to provide assistance, and support efforts to overcome the disaster and rebuild homes at an early date, he said.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang also extended condolences to Min Aung Hlaing for Myanmar's losses from the earthquake.

Later on March 29, Li Ming, a spokesperson for the China International Development Cooperation Agency, said that China would offer Myanmar 100 million yuan ($14 million) in emergency humanitarian aid to support earthquake relief efforts.

On the evening of March 29, the 82-member CSAR, dispatched by the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management, arrived at the Yangon International Airport. To seize the critical "golden 72 hours" for rescue, the Chinese rescue team traveled overnight to the disaster site. However, severe road damage between Yangon and Mandalay turned a usual six-hour journey into a 15- to 20-hour trip.

At 5:00 a.m. on March 30, the rescue team from Yunnan Province, the first Chinese rescue team arriving at the quake site, rescued an elderly man who had been trapped for nearly 40 hours under the rubble of a hospital in Nay Pyi Taw.

At 7:38 p.m. on March 30, 118 members of the CISAR arrived in Nay Pyi Taw. The team consists of earthquake experts, structural engineers, search and rescue workers, medical personnel, and canine units. They are equipped with life detectors, demolition equipment and field hospital systems.

In the early hours of March 31, members of the CSAR rescued four survivors in Mandalay, including one woman who was pregnant, all of whom were sent to hospital for treatment.

At 12:15 p.m. on March 31, the first installment of disaster-relief materials provided by the Chinese Government arrived at the Yangon International Airport.

Ground crew prepare to transport disaster-relief material offered by the Chinese Government at the Yangon International Airport in Yangon, Myanmar, on March 31 (XINHUA)

The supplies were welcomed by Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Ma Jia and Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein. The supplies included 1,200 tents, 8,000 blankets and more than 40,000 first aid kits, Ma said, adding that more supplies were being prepared.

U Soe Thein said the supplies demonstrated a profound friendship of the Chinese Government and people toward the Myanmar people.

International rescue teams from other countries are also on the scene, including Russia, India and several Southeast Asian countries.

(Print Edition Title: Quake Response) 

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson

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