Myanmar’s military has announced a temporary ceasefire from 2 April to 22 April to facilitate relief and reconstruction efforts following last week’s devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake.
The junta’s decision follows unilateral ceasefire declarations by rebel groups, which the military had previously refused to match.
The disaster has claimed at least 2,886 lives, with hundreds still missing. The earthquake’s impact was felt across the region, including Thailand, where 21 deaths have been reported.
On Tuesday night, Myanmar’s military opened fire on a Chinese Red Cross convoy carrying earthquake aid in Shan State. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said troops used machine guns on the convoy, which was en route to Mandalay. The military denied directly targeting the vehicles, claiming soldiers fired warning shots when the convoy allegedly failed to stop.
China’s foreign ministry confirmed that the rescue team and supplies were safe and urged all parties in Myanmar to prioritise humanitarian relief.
Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis has deepened in the wake of the disaster, with international aid agencies rushing to provide assistance. However, tensions between the junta and resistance forces continue to threaten relief efforts.
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