It has been exactly a week since the powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28. The challenge of rescuing those trapped alive in the rubble has only grown more challenging as time goes on.
Nay Pyi Taw, the seat of the military council, is in ruins, with many five-story government buildings buried underground. The smell of dead bodies is suffocating here, but there is no sign of any search and rescue efforts.
The military council has not released the number of personnel killed.
Again, among these ruins, we see people struggling to survive.
"When the leader dies, I don't know what to say."
Daw Aye told RFA that her beloved niece died here.
“Nunna, he sells groceries here. He does things like pay for groceries, phone bills, Kpay, and so on, and he lives on that income. He doesn’t know what to say when the leader dies. That’s what happens.”
Daw Aye added that she and two members of her family were injured, but they are being treated with only lighted candles.
Hospitals in Nay Pyi Taw were also damaged by the earthquake, so they are providing emergency medical care to the injured in temporary tents. Damaged roads and bridges have not yet been effectively repaired.
The damage in Sagaing, which is close to the epicenter, is also unprecedented. More than 90 percent of the city was destroyed, and rescue workers and residents estimate that at least 800 people may have died.