A representative for the Canadian Red Cross says the situation on the ground in Myanmar is “still very dire and tragic” days after a massive earthquake that has killed at least 1,600 people.
Canadian Red Cross senior operations manager Chiran Livera says teams of staff and volunteers made up of both international and local Red Cross workers were in Myanmar when the quake hit on Friday, and they have been able to distribute water and shelter kits from warehouses stationed around the country.
Speaking from Vancouver, Livera says he’s been told transportation is a challenge due to roads and bridges being damaged or destroyed but because the aid was spread out in different locations, they have been able to move it into the affected area.
As of Sunday afternoon, the country’s death toll from the 7.7 magnitude quake that hit Friday rose to 1,644 with rescue efforts so far focused on the major stricken cities of Mandalay, the country’s No. 2 city, and Naypyitaw, the capital.
Livera says the resources on the ground have helped thousands of people to far but there are more people in need than there are available goods at the moment.
He says the Canadian Red Cross has launched a fundraising effort and specialized teams are stationed in Malaysia, ready to be called in to offer technical help if they are needed.
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