The government of United Kingdom (UK) announced £10 million support to help the people of Myanmar following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake.
According to UK, it will increase support in the hardest hit areas of the earthquake and geared towards food and water supplies, medicine, and shelter.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is also offering support to British nationals in both Myanmar and Thailand following the earthquake.
Affirming its “deep and long-standing friendship with Myanmar” following the quake, China said a 37-member rescue and medical team was the first international rescue group to arrive in the country on Saturday morning.
A 118 personnel medical team from India was also sent.
United States President Donald Trump on Friday vowed Washington would assist Myanmar, describing the quake as “terrible”. But questions remain about Washington’s commitment due to the gutting of USAID, the country’s development agency, by the Trump administration.
The Philippines said Saturday it was sending medics, firefighters and soldiers on Tuesday, while South Korea promised $2 million in humanitarian assistance.
Malaysia said it would also send a team to Myanmar, adding that the regional ASEAN bloc was also “ready to assist”.
Intensity of Earthquake in Myanmar
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake is the most powerful to strike Myanmar in over a century.
It has killed at least 1,600 people in Myanmar so far with the USGS estimating that the death toll could top 10,000.
The country lacks proper equipment, leaving many trapped under the rubble. Some reports say desperate people are digging through the debris with their bare hands, searching for their loved ones.
