Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has rejected calls for a ceasefire from armed rebel groups, despite the urgent need for humanitarian aid following a devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake last week.
The earthquake, which struck on Friday, has claimed the lives of at least 2,700 people, with hundreds still missing. Amid the disaster, three armed ethnic groups proposed a temporary halt to fighting to allow relief efforts to reach affected areas. However, Min Aung Hlaing dismissed the appeal, stating that the military would “continue to take necessary security measures.”
The earthquake has compounded what the United Nations describes as “an already dire crisis” in Myanmar, which has been gripped by a brutal civil war for the past four years. Fighting between the military junta and various ethnic armed groups has displaced over two million people, making relief efforts even more challenging.
Rescue teams continue to search for survivors in Myanmar and neighboring Thailand, where the quake was also felt, killing 21 people. However, hopes are fading as more bodies are pulled from the rubble of collapsed buildings.
The military’s refusal to pause hostilities has drawn condemnation from international organizations and humanitarian groups, who warn that the continued conflict could hinder aid distribution and lead to even more deaths.
With communications and infrastructure severely damaged, relief agencies are struggling to reach survivors trapped under debris. The situation remains critical, as thousands in affected regions are left without food, water, or medical care.
As Myanmar grapples with the devastation of the earthquake and ongoing conflict, the international community is urging all sides to prioritise humanitarian needs over military objectives. However, with no sign of a ceasefire, the crisis is expected to deepen in the coming days.
Chioma Kalu
Follow us on:
