Myanmar’s isolated leader, Min Aung Hlaing, is set to leave his earthquake-stricken country on April 3 for a rare visit to a regional summit, as state television announced. His departure comes as humanitarian organizations call for fewer restrictions to allow aid to reach survivors of one of the most devastating earthquakes to hit Myanmar in a century. The 7.7-magnitude quake shook a region home to 28 million people, toppling buildings, flattening entire communities, and leaving thousands without basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter. Chinese state television has reported that the death toll has exceeded 3,000.

Since the military’s takeover in 2021, which removed the elected civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar has remained internationally isolated, with its economy and public services, including healthcare, in a state of collapse due to the ongoing civil war. On Wednesday night, state-run broadcaster MRTV announced a 20-day unilateral ceasefire to aid recovery efforts but warned that the military would retaliate if rebel groups launched attacks. The announcement also confirmed Min Aung Hlaing’s attendance at a summit in Bangkok, where he is expected to meet with leaders from Thailand, India, and Bangladesh. This rare foreign trip comes despite his status as a pariah among many nations, with Western sanctions and an ongoing International Criminal Court investigation preventing him from attending ASEAN summits.

Some political analysts suggest that the earthquake and the upcoming summit could serve to bolster Min Aung Hlaing’s legitimacy as he pushes forward with Myanmar’s controversial December elections, which are widely expected to entrench military rule. Meanwhile, aid organizations continue to report dire conditions in central Myanmar, with overwhelmed hospitals, severe shortages of medicine, and an increasing risk of waterborne diseases. Mohamed Riyas, Myanmar Director of the International Rescue Committee, described the humanitarian situation as staggering, warning that it could take weeks to fully assess the extent of the devastation due to disruptions in communication and transportation. Clean drinking water, shelter, and medical aid are in urgent demand.

Reports from medical aid organizations such as MSF indicate that in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, around 500 buildings have collapsed entirely, while another 800 have been severely damaged. Many survivors remain in unsafe conditions, exposed to the elements, and facing extreme shortages of drinking water. Efforts to deliver aid have been hampered by military restrictions, with human rights groups accusing the junta of slowing humanitarian efforts by maintaining heavy security measures in some of the worst-affected areas. The challenge of delivering aid in a conflict-ridden country was underscored when junta forces fired warning shots at a Chinese Red Cross convoy, claiming that it had not properly informed authorities of its route through a conflict zone.

China, one of Myanmar’s few remaining allies, has been among the first nations to send aid, dispatching rescue teams and pledging $18.5 million worth of supplies. The Chinese foreign ministry has urged Myanmar’s military to ensure the safety of relief workers and keep aid routes open. However, despite the humanitarian crisis, reports indicate that military operations have continued, with airstrikes and clashes still taking place near quake-affected areas. Min Aung Hlaing has claimed that the military halted offensives, though he accused rebel groups of attempting to exploit the disaster for attacks. In response, a major rebel alliance declared a unilateral ceasefire to support the humanitarian response.

The continued military action has drawn international condemnation, with UN special rapporteur Tom Andrews calling the junta’s actions following the earthquake "outrageous" and urging world leaders to issue a strong response. Human rights groups have also criticized the junta for restricting access to journalists and aid workers, as well as for imposing a communications blackout in areas like Sagaing, where information remains difficult to obtain. Human Rights Watch has urged the military to grant full access to aid agencies, arguing that donors should bypass junta authorities and instead channel assistance through independent organizations.

Despite the devastation, reports from Mandalay suggest that authorities are pressing ahead with preparations for the upcoming Thingyan water festival, even as many remain homeless and bodies are still trapped under the rubble. Meanwhile, in neighboring Thailand, the earthquake’s effects have also been severe, with the death toll rising to 22. In Bangkok, rescue workers are still searching through the debris of a collapsed skyscraper construction site, where at least 15 people have died and 72 remain missing. Heavy equipment has been deployed to clear massive amounts of concrete, with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stating that search operations are continuing with new tactics to improve access to trapped survivors.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.