Fear, uncertainty as daily aftershocks rock Myanmar

Basic services have yet to be restored to the areas of Myanmar worst hit by a huge earthquake three weeks ago, and emergency workers are contending with regular aftershocks and lack of resources, humanitarian services say.

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A situation report issued late Friday by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said frequent strong aftershocks continue to shake central Myanmar almost daily, increasing fear and uncertainty amongst affected residents, disrupting response efforts and exacerbating the pressure on already limited resources and services.

“Three weeks after catastrophic twin earthquakes in late February and March, the worst-affected communities are still without safe shelter, clean water and sanitation, stable electricity, health care and essential services,” the report said.

Saturday, Senior General Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing, head of the military government, said his Cabinet members during a meeting on Friday that the urban layout of Naypyitaw will be redesigned.

The epicentre of the 7.7 magnitude quake was near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, but it hit a wide swath of the country, causing significant damage to six regions and states including the capital, Naypyitaw.