Myanmar or Burma

Statement by US Embassy in Myanmar:

As an immediate response to the March 28 Sagaing earthquake, the United States will provide up to USD 2 million through Myanmar-based humanitarian assistance organizations to support earthquake-affected communities. In addition, a USAID emergency response team is deploying to Myanmar to identify the people’s most pressing needs, including emergency shelter, food, medical needs, and access to water.

The United States stands with the people of Myanmar as they work to recover from the devastation. We offer our deepest condolences for the loss of life and infrastructure in this difficult time.

The Myanmar Military Council has prohibited foreign journalists from reporting on the recent earthquake, citing security concerns.

Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, the junta’s spokesperson, announced the decision on 30 March, stating that foreign media had requested permission to enter the country, but the government could not accommodate them.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/27527691

Summary

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar killed over 1,000 people, with the U.S. Geological Service predicting fatalities could exceed 10,000.

Infrastructure damage and civil war have hindered rescue efforts.

Myanmar's junta has appealed for help despite strained international relations.

International aid from China, Russia, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea is arriving, while the U.S. pledged limited assistance.

In Thailand, nine people died, and a collapsed Bangkok skyscraper trapped 30 workers. Rescuers continue to search for survivors amid widespread devastation.

A Myanmar rebel group that controls one of the world's largest rare earth zones has told miners there it will allow shipments of existing rare earth inventories to China from Thursday, according to two sources and a statement reviewed by Reuters.

Rare earth mining in Myanmar is concentrated in Kachin state around the towns of Panwa and Chipwe, which have been controlled by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) since last October.

Hindus have urged Bangladesh to hand over Ataullah, the head of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) terrorist organization, to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for prosecution regarding his involvement in the killing of over 100 Hindus in Kha Maung Seik village in northern Maungdaw Township during August 2017.

The ethnic Arakan Army (AA) and allies are attacking a junta base that is crucial if the regime wants to defend its arms factories in Bago Region from rebel advances.

Junta planes struck a crowded bazaar in Letpanhla village, in Mandalay Region’s Singu Township – an area controlled by the Mandalay People’s Defense Force (PDF) – at around 3pm on Friday.