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Myanmar Struggles to Recover as Aftershock Rattles Quake-Stricken Region

A fresh aftershock in Mandalay deepens fears and complicates recovery efforts following the devastating March 28 earthquake that killed over 3,600 and displaced millions.

Villagers buy flowers to celebrate the traditional New Year holiday at the outskirts of Phnom Penh Cambodia, Sunday, April 13. 2025. People celebrate the traditional New Year holiday between April 14-16. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Children wearing face masks wait to throw water during the first day of annual traditional water festival also known as "Thingyan", in Yangon, Myanmar, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
Local blessing dancers sit on a motor-cart as they head to dance through the villages to celebrate the traditional New Year holiday at the outskirts of Phnom Penh Cambodia, Sunday, April 13. 2025. People celebrate the traditional New Year holiday between April 14-16.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
A man applies Thanakha, traditional make-up, on his child’s face as they take part in the first day of annual water festival also known as "Thingyan," in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)

Overview

  • A 5.5-magnitude aftershock struck Mandalay on April 13, prompting evacuations and heightening anxiety in the already devastated region.
  • The March 28 earthquake destroyed over 5,200 buildings and left more than two million people in urgent need of humanitarian aid, according to the UN.
  • Myanmar's Thingyan water festival, traditionally a time of celebration, is subdued this year under military-imposed restrictions and ongoing mourning for the earthquake's victims.
  • Humanitarian aid efforts are severely strained, with the UN issuing an emergency plea for $275 million and the World Food Programme cutting aid to one million people due to funding shortages.
  • The crisis is exacerbated by Myanmar's political instability, ongoing civil conflict, and military offensives, which hinder effective disaster recovery and aid delivery.