Red Cross faces funds shortage in Myanmar earthquake relief

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on Thursday it had received only a fraction of an emergency appeal for 100 million Swiss francs ($122.40 million) to help recovery efforts after Myanmar's powerful quake last month.

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The 7.7 magnitude quake on March 28, one of the strongest to hit the country in a century, killed more than 3,600 people, flattened communities and left many without food, water and shelter.

"Only 10% of our 100 million Swiss franc appeal is funded - a lot less than we would have expected. It's not nearly enough," Alexander Matheou from the IFRC told Reuters via video link in Mandalay.

The organisation said a broad decline in international donations, exacerbated by cuts to US funding by President Donald Trump's administration, has caused a funding shortfall.

"We have around 200,000 people living on the streets because it is not safe to go home.

They are in need of shelter, water, food and sanitation support," Matheou said.

"There is destruction of full streets and houses, as well as huge cultural heritage destruction to temples, mosques and churches," he added.