KUALA LUMPUR – Myanmar’s ruling military has declared a three-week ceasefire against rebel groups following a devastating earthquake that has claimed over 3,000 lives, according to the latest death toll.
The truce, set to last until April 22, aims to facilitate ongoing rescue and relief operations, according to an official military statement.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which struck central Myanmar last Friday, has caused widespread devastation, with the confirmed death toll reaching 3,003 as of Wednesday, according to Anadolu Ajansi. Additionally, 4,515 people have been injured, while 351 remain missing, Myanmar’s Embassy in Japan reported on Facebook.
The disaster has left communities without food, water, and shelter, exacerbating the challenges in a nation already plagued by civil unrest.
The quake’s impact extended beyond Myanmar’s borders. In neighbouring Thailand, at least 15 people lost their lives, while 72 others remain missing following the collapse of an under-construction skyscraper triggered by the tremors.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by ongoing aftershocks, with 66 tremors ranging from magnitudes 2.8 to 7.5 recorded since the initial quake, according to Myanmar’s Meteorology and Hydrology Department. Weather authorities have also forecast unseasonal rains beginning on April 11, potentially complicating relief operations.
International aid has begun arriving in the country, with 53 aid flights landing in Myanmar so far. Over 1,900 rescue workers from 15 countries, including Malaysia, China, India, Russia and other Southeast Asian nations, have joined efforts to search for survivors and provide humanitarian assistance.
The military junta’s ceasefire follows a similar truce declared by a major rebel alliance on Tuesday to support humanitarian efforts. However, tensions remain high. The military, which seized power in 2021, has warned rebels against any disruptions to the relief efforts.
The ceasefire announcement also coincides with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing’s upcoming visit to Bangkok for a regional summit.
The junta had previously rejected a ceasefire proposal from rebel groups, but the urgency of the current crisis appears to have prompted a temporary pause in hostilities. Additionally, the ceasefire declaration follows reports of an alleged attack on a Chinese Red Cross aid convoy on Tuesday night amid military airstrikes against rebel forces.
While the temporary ceasefire provides an opportunity for much-needed aid to reach affected communities, the military has cautioned that any violations of the truce will be met with “necessary countermeasures.” – April 3, 2025