Myanmar’s earthquake death toll jumps to 1,644 as more bodies are recovered from the rubble

As the full scale of the disaster unfolds, urgent humanitarian assistance is needed to support those affected,

OCHA said in the statement

A severe shortage of medical supplies is hampering response efforts, including trauma kits, blood bags, anaesthetics, assistive devices, essential medicines, and tents for health workers,

OCHA added

Damage to the Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw-Mandalay expressway led to service disruptions, with cracks and surface distortions forcing highway buses to halt operations

the UN agency said in a statement

Damaged roads and debris are obstructing humanitarian access and complicating needs assessments,

it added

Thousands of people are spending the nights on the streets or open spaces due to the damage and destruction to homes, or fearing further quakes,

it said

I’d love to see them pull back the teams that they’ve fired and really mount a serious response” to the earthquake

Mr. Konyndyk said

The first 24 to 48 hours after a major disaster are the time of peak frenzy, because that’s when you’re getting the search-and-rescue teams spun up and organizing the airlifts,

Mr. Konyndyk said

I just can’t believe they did airstrikes at the same time as the earthquake,

said Lway Yal Oo, a resident of the bombed village

When the donor that normally provides about 40 percent of global humanitarian financing leaves the field, no one else can really fill that gap,

he said, referring to America’s role in global relief efforts

Donald Trumppresident

We’re going to be helping.”

Mr. Trump said

The fact that they fired everyone on the day this was all going on does not suggest there’s much seriousness about a real U.S. response.”

But he added

Yesterday we found some survivors, but today the chances are much lower,

he said