Mandalay: The death toll from last week's significant earthquake in Myanmar has exceeded 3,000.
The military-led government has reported an official count of 3,085 fatalities, although local media sources indicate that the actual number may be considerably higher.
These updated figures were released as junta leader Min Aung Hlaing prepared to attend a regional summit in Thailand, an invitation that represents a diplomatic achievement for the reclusive military regime.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, the country's second-largest city, last Friday.
It caused extensive damage to buildings and critical infrastructure nationwide. The response efforts have been complicated by the ongoing civil conflict that erupted after the military seized control from the democratically elected government in 2021.
The earthquake has displaced over 3 million individuals. Prior to the disaster, the UN reported that approximately 20 million people were already in need of humanitarian assistance.
In a rare move, the military has joined forces with resistance groups to call for a temporary ceasefire until April 22, aimed at facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected.
What has been Myanmar's reaction to the earthquake?
The death toll is anticipated to rise significantly as more details emerge from remote areas where communication infrastructure has been disrupted.
One week after the earthquake, many individuals in Myanmar are still in critical need, with numerous people forced to sleep outdoors due to the complete or partial destruction of their homes.
According to the World Health Organization, one-third of the houses in Sagaing, located less than 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the epicenter, have been destroyed.
Aid convoys organized by civilians have filled the roads leading into Sagaing.
"Travelers on the road have kindly donated water and food to us. We depend entirely on their generosity," stated 63-year-old nun Aye Thikar, who has been involved in distributing aid, in an interview with news agency AFP.
