The National Unity Government (NUG), the anti-junta cabinet formed and endorsed by ousted civilian members of parliament after the 2021 coup, has called for a two-week ceasefire starting March 30 to carry out emergency rescue operations for victims of a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday.
The earthquake, centered near Mandalay, has left over 1,000 people dead and 2,400 injured, with many still feared trapped under rubble. The NUG has pledged to deploy Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) staff for rescue efforts in junta-controlled areas, provided the military junta guarantees the safety of rescue workers and refrains from arrests. An initial fund of $1 million USD has been allocated for these operations.
The Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), consisting of professionals who left their jobs in protest against military rule, has played a critical role in undermining the junta’s power since the 2021 coup. These individuals, including healthcare workers, have faced persecution, job losses, and restrictions on employment and travel.
The earthquake caused widespread devastation in Mandalay, Naypyidaw, and other cities in Myanmar.
Hospitals in Mandalay, Naypyitaw, and other affected areas are overwhelmed, leaving many patients lying on the ground due to a lack of available beds. Witnesses at Mandalay General Hospital reported scenes of chaos, with some doctors and medical students in tears, unable to assist the influx of injured survivors.
Flights into and out of Mandalay and Naypyitaw airports have been suspended due to significant damage to aviation infrastructure, including the collapse of an air traffic control tower in Naypyitaw that killed at least six people.
The quake has compounded an already dire situation in Myanmar, where over a third of the population requires humanitarian aid due to ongoing civil conflict following the military coup.
The NUG has also expressed its intention to collaborate with international organizations, including the United Nations and INGOs, to establish temporary rescue and medical treatment camps, secure transportation routes, and ensure safety in NUG-controlled areas.
Rescue operations are set to begin on March 30, with a call for the military to cease offensives during this critical period. As search-and-rescue efforts continue, the death toll is expected to rise further.
