The massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck near Mandalay last Friday has not only laid waste to large parts of Myanmar’s last royal capital but has also devastated the seat of its current military rulers, leaving many in Naypyitaw scrambling for a place to live.Since the sprawling city, carved out of the jungles of central Myanmar, became the country’s administrative center two decades ago, it has been largely spared the worst of what nature could throw at it. Under many of these devastated buildings are the bodies of those who were unable to escape. Even the buildings that are fairly intact are so riddled with fallen masonry and visible cracks that no one dares to enter them, much less stay in them overnight. This has left many living on the streets or in other open spaces such as football fields.
According to media reports, the regime is also providing water, temporary toilets, and phone-charging stations for Naypyitaw residents stranded in the city, which is barely functional. But as public employees struggle just to meet their own needs, the regime’s administrative capacity has been brought to a standstill. With most public facilities, including its airport and largest hospital, closed due to extensive damage from the quake, Naypyitaw is barely functioning, according to residents. Relief efforts are underway at a collapsed civil servant housing complex in Naypyitaw.
- Lord, we plead in Your name for the people of Myanmar; have mercy on them, as a natural disaster has befallen them. Give them the strength and courage to fight back and cling on to the eternal hope (The Holy Bible, Psalms 23:4).
- Lord, we pray for the early restoration of communication and safety and for the evacuation of people to be done. May they experience your goodness and remember that you will not abandon them (The Holy Bible, Job 5:11).
News Source: Myanmar Now
Image Source: Canva
