Over 2,600 people are now reported to have died in the two powerful earthquakes that devastated central Myanmar last Friday, while thousands have been injured or are missing, trapped under the rubble.

The 7.7- and 6.4 strength quakes hit regions of Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Sagaing, Bago, and Shan regions, which are also where most of the almost 20 million people displaced by conflict have been living.

Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, was also affected with 17 people reported dead, while in Ruili city, in China’s southeastern Yunnan province, 2,840 people have also been affected and 847 houses have been damaged.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is “responding at its highest level of emergency activation”, but the cash-strapped global body has appealed for donations, as it needs $8 million to “deliver life-saving trauma care, prevent disease outbreaks, and restore essential health services over the next 30 days”.

Three hospitals have been destroyed and 22 have been partially damaged in the country, according to the WHO.

“Hospitals are overwhelmed with thousands of injured in need of medical care. There is a huge need for trauma and surgical care, blood transfusion supplies, anaesthetics, essential medicines, management of mass causality, safe water and sanitation, mental health and psychosocial support among others,” reported WHO.

UNICEF has also called for “urgent funding to scale up the delivery of life-saving support to children and families affected by the earthquake, including clean water, medical care, protection, psychosocial support, and emergency education”.

Myanmar has been controlled by a military junta since 2021, and foreign media are not allowed into the country. 

Meanwhile, China, Russia, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam have sent aid to the country – but the United States, which has dismantled its Agency for International Development (USAID) has not yet responded, according to the New York Times.

Some staff were preparing a response on Friday rwhen the received layoff notices, the newspaper added.

Myanmar, which has been controlled by a military junta since 2021, has reportedly refused to allow foreign media into the country to cover the earthquake.

However, Myanmar miliary leader Min Aung Hlaing issued a rare “open invitation to any organizations and nations willing to come and help the people in need within our country,” after the quakes – an indication of the severity of the disaster.

Image Credits: UNICEF.