Myanmar imposes martial law and state of emergency in nine regions, says state TV

Myanmar imposed martial law and state of emergency in nine regions of the country, according to state media. Governed by a military junta since 2021, Myanmar currently faces a civil war against the military in power and international isolation. In addition, the country has 40% of the population living below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. Despite the internal efforts and the foreign aid that the country has received, the destruction caused by the earthquake further hinders the rescue work. An example is the airports damaged by tremors. In Nayphitaw, the country’s capital, the earthquake knocked down the airport control tower, according to the Associated Press (AP). Given the difficulties in rescue work, the United States Geological Service (USGS) has issued a red alert, estimating that tremors may have left more than 10,000 people killed. Survivors in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, excavated the rubble with their own hands on Friday, in desperate attempts to save those who were still arrested, while the machinery and the authorities did not reach the scene. See below (click to navigate the page): Infrastructure and Airports destroyed international isolation and humanitarian aid civil war against military in power see before and after the tremor that has reached Myanmar and Thailand infrastructure and airports destroyed in Myanmar, the rescue efforts so far are focused on the main cities reached: Mandalay, the country’s second largest city, and Nay, and Nayitaw, the capital. Mandalay, the former real capital and center of the country’s Buddhism, is one of the most affected places by the earthquake. Even before the natural disaster, the country already suffered from precarious infrastructure and a poor health system for years of civil war. The earthquake took place on Friday at noon-dawn for Brasília time-with the epicenter not far from Mandalay, followed by several low-intensity shaking. The tremors knocked down buildings, destroyed roads, and caused the bridges to collapse. In Nayphitaw, teams worked on Saturday (29) to repair damaged roads, while electricity, telephone and internet services remained out of operation in most of the city. According to a report from the United Nations (UN), there was serious damage or complete destruction of many health facilities. A satellite image shows the Inwa Bridge, which collapsed after an earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 29, 2025 Maxer Technologies/Disclosure via Reuters, the organization warned of a “serious shortage of medical supplies that is hindering response efforts, including trauma kits, blood bags, anesthetic, auxiliary devices, essential medicines and tents for professionals health”. Although teams and supplies are being sent from other nations, another complication has been the situation of airports. Planet Labs PBC satellite photos analyzed by the Associated Press show that the earthquake has toppled the air traffic control tower at Nayphitaw International Airport. Images captured at Mandalay International Airport showed hundreds of people in panic on the track during the strong tremors. Inside the terminal, passengers ran desperate out of a severely damaged lobby. An analysis of the United States government estimates that there may be thousands of deaths and serious economic losses. “In general, the population of this region lies in structures vulnerable to land tremors.” Rescues carry the body of a victim after a strong earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 30, 2025 Reuters in some of the most affected areas in the country, residents told the Reuters news agency that government assistance was scarce so far, leaving people in their own luck. The entire city of Sagaing, near the epicenter of the earthquake, was devastated, said resident Han Zin. “What we are seeing here is widespread destruction – many buildings have collapsed on the floor,” he said by phone, adding that much of the city was without electricity since the disaster and that drinking water was running out. “We have not received help and there are no rescue teams in sight.” Across the Irrawaddy River in Mandalay, a rescue team said most of the operations were being conducted by small groups of self-organized residents that do not have the necessary equipment. “We are approaching collapsed buildings, but some structures remain unstable while we work,” he said, asking not to be identified for security reasons. Earthquake: Video shows Panic population at Mianmar Airport back to the index. International Isolation and Humanitarian Aid The Military Junta Governing Mianmar decreed a state of emergency in six regions, including Sagaing, Mandalay and the capital, state media said. The board was established after a coup d’état in 2021 (remember the episode) and hold control over radio, television and newspapers. Internet access is also limited in the region. In a rare movement, the military junta requested donations from any country or organization that wants to contribute to rescue actions. In a statement on state TV, the spokesman also requested medical materials for the victims. Myanmar’s neighbors have already sent rescue teams and help materials. China and Russia are the largest gun supplies for the Myanmar army and were some of the first to offer humanitarian aid. People observe while search and rescue operations continue after a strong earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 29, 2025 Reuters China said it sent more than 135 rescue teams and experts, as well as supplies such as medical kits and generators, and promised about $ 14 million in emergency aid. Russia sent 120 medical teams, rescuers and supplies. India, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore are sending help, as are the United States, whose collaboration was confirmed by President Donald Trump. The European Union also promised support. António Guterres, UN head, said the United Nations are mobilized after the earthquake. A report by the Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office pointed out the allocation of US $ 5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund for immediate relief actions. Immediate measures include a train of 17 cargo trucks carrying essential and medical supplies from China, which are expected to arrive on Sunday, according to the report. Myanmar military leader, General Senior Min Aung Hlaing, in the Center, inspects a damaged road due to the earthquake. Mianmar Military Information Team via AP return to the index. Civil War against Military in Power Another important complication is the civil war that affects much of Myanmar, including areas affected by the earthquake. Government forces, consisting of a military junta, have lost control of much of the country, and many places are extremely dangerous or simply impossible to reach help groups. Even before the earthquake, more than 3 million people have been displaced by the conflict and nearly 20 million are needing help, according to the United Nations. Since the Board took power, the country’s former authorities, deposed in the coup, formed a parallel government, the national unity government. This “parallel government” also says helps with rescues. On Saturday night (29), the popular struggle against the military in power announced a ceasefire to facilitate the efforts to help and rescue those affected by the earthquake from this Sunday. The resistance organization said it reserves the right to react in defense if attacked. Return to the index. Photo shows building falling in Mandalay in Myanmar, during this Friday’s earthquake. STR/AFP

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