Myanmar’s military has announced a temporary ceasefire to facilitate relief and reconstruction efforts following last week’s devastating earthquake, which has claimed nearly 2,900 lives. The ceasefire will remain in effect from April 2 to April 22, according to a statement released by the ruling junta’s State Administration Council.
The move comes after rebel groups fighting the military had already declared a unilateral ceasefire earlier this week to support rescue operations. However, the junta had refused to do the same until Wednesday’s announcement.
Rising Death Toll and Widespread Devastation
At least 2,886 people have been confirmed dead after the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar last Friday. Hundreds remain missing, and the actual death toll is feared to be much higher than the official figures reported by the junta. The tremors were felt as far as Thailand, where at least 21 fatalities have been recorded.
Myanmar, which has been engulfed in civil conflict since the military seized power in a 2021 coup, now faces a worsening humanitarian crisis in the wake of the disaster. International aid agencies and foreign governments have mobilized to provide emergency assistance to affected regions.
Military Opens Fire on Red Cross Aid Convoy
Despite the declared ceasefire, tensions remain high. On Tuesday night, Myanmar’s military opened fire at a Chinese Red Cross convoy delivering earthquake relief supplies. The convoy, consisting of nine vehicles, was traveling through eastern Shan State on its way to Mandalay, one of the worst-hit areas near the earthquake’s epicenter.
According to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an armed rebel group, military forces fired at the convoy with machine guns. However, the junta has denied directly targeting the vehicles, stating that troops only fired warning shots after the convoy failed to stop at a checkpoint.
A military spokesperson explained that soldiers had not been informed in advance of the convoy’s movements. “When we saw the convoy, we stopped it. But they continued. We opened fire from about 200 meters away, but they didn’t stop,” the spokesperson said. “At about 100 meters away, we fired three shots in the air, after which the vehicles turned back.”
China Calls for Cooperation in Relief Efforts
China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the convoy and its personnel were safe, urging all factions in Myanmar to prioritize earthquake relief efforts. The Chinese Blue Sky Rescue Team, which has been providing assistance in Mandalay, had received security clearance for its operations.
The TNLA, which was escorting the Red Cross convoy, stated that it had informed the military council about its travel plans. Following the incident, the convoy returned to Naungcho but later resumed its journey toward Mandalay.
As Myanmar struggles with the twin crises of civil war and natural disaster, international aid groups continue to press for unrestricted access to affected regions, warning that delays in relief efforts could worsen the already dire humanitarian situation.
