Myanmar junta announces 20-day ceasefire
The junta government has declared a 20-day ceasefire against the rebels in Myanmar. The ceasefire will start on Wednesday (April 2) and will remain in effect until April 22. Myanmar’s state-run MRTV reported this news.
The MRTV bulletin broadcast tonight said that the ceasefire has been declared to facilitate the rehabilitation of those affected by the earthquake.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar last Friday (March 28). An aftershock of 6.4 magnitude occurred 11 minutes later. More than 3,000 people have been reported to have died in the earthquake so far. The South China Morning Post reported that armed rebel groups had declared a temporary ceasefire before the junta government. An army statement said that the groups must refrain from attacking or regrouping during the ceasefire. Otherwise, the army will take “necessary” measures.
The earthquake caused extensive damage to several cities, including Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, Sagaing, and the capital Naypyidaw. Thousands of buildings and bridges have collapsed; cracks have appeared in roads and highways. Rescue operations continue in the affected areas of Myanmar. Today, on the fifth day of the earthquake, two people were rescued alive from the rubble of a hotel in the capital Naypyidaw. Another person was also rescued alive from a guesthouse in another city. However, most rescue teams are only recovering bodies.
MRTV reports that the death toll has reached 3,030 to date. The number of injured is 4,500. However, local media believe that the actual number of casualties is much higher. In February 2021, the military seized power in Myanmar. Then the civil war began in the country.
According to the United Nations, more than 3 million people have been displaced in the civil war. About 20 million people in the country need various types of assistance. In this situation, the earthquake has intensified the humanitarian crisis in the country.
