Myanmar Civil War Pauses as Earthquake Death Toll Reaches 3,000

Myanmar's military has announced a temporary ceasefire in the country’s ongoing civil war to allow much-needed relief efforts following a catastrophic 7.7 magnitude earthquake that has claimed more than 3,000 lives.

The surprise announcement came late Wednesday on state television, with military leaders saying the ceasefire will last until April 22 as a show of compassion for those affected.

This follows similar unilateral ceasefires declared by resistance groups earlier in the week.

However, the military warned these groups not to use the pause to regroup or attack—or else they’d take "necessary measures." Resistance fighters, in turn, have made it clear they reserve the right to defend themselves if needed.

Rescuers Still Finding Survivors—But Mostly Bodies

Despite the overwhelming devastation, miraculous rescues have continued.

• In Naypyitaw, a 26-year-old hotel worker was pulled out alive after being trapped for nearly 108 hours under the rubble.

• Another survivor was found in the same hotel, pulled out more than 121 hours after the quake.

• In Sagaing, near the epicenter, a 47-year-old primary school principal was rescued from a collapsed guesthouse by a Malaysian and local team.

• A fourth rescue was reported in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city.

But for most rescue teams, the grim reality is finding bodies instead of survivors.

The quake, which struck last Friday, toppled thousands of buildings, collapsed bridges, and buckled roads. Alongside the 3,000+ dead, more than 4,500 people have been injured, according to Myanmar’s state media. Local reports suggest the real numbers could be much higher.

A Crisis on Top of a Crisis

Even before the earthquake, Myanmar was already facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises due to the ongoing civil war.

• Over 3 million people were already displaced from their homes.

• Nearly 20 million were in urgent need of assistance.

Now, the situation is even more desperate.

Resistance Groups Pressured the Military to Pause Fighting

Myanmar’s military seized power in 2021, overthrowing the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and triggering a nationwide armed resistance.

This week, two major anti-military groups announced temporary ceasefires:

• The People’s Defence Force (PDF), the armed wing of Myanmar’s shadow opposition government.

• The Three Brotherhood Alliance, a powerful trio of ethnic minority armed groups.

According to analysts, this put pressure on the military to follow suit.

But could this ceasefire lead to something more permanent?

"It would require very deft and active diplomacy to transform a humanitarian pause into something more lasting. And that's not guaranteed," said Morgan Michaels, an expert at the International Institute of Strategic Studies.

Global Aid Efforts Ramping Up

The international community is rushing to help, pledging millions of dollars and sending search-and-rescue teams, medical aid, and field hospitals.

Among the biggest contributors:

• India & China—Myanmar’s two powerful neighbors—have been especially quick with aid.

• Turkey, Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia have all sent teams.

• The US has pledged $2 million in emergency assistance and sent an expert team to assess further needs.

But ongoing aftershocks are complicating rescue and aid efforts.

In Mandalay City, thousands remain without electricity or clean water.

"People affected continue to need urgent healthcare and medical supplies, safe drinking water, food, and other critical items," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

The biggest priorities right now?

• Temporary shelter—tents and latrines are needed to prevent disease outbreaks.

• Medical care for the thousands injured.

• Basic supplies—food, clean water, and hygiene products.

What’s Next?

For now, all eyes are on the April 22 ceasefire deadline. Will this humanitarian pause open the door for real peace talks? Or will the fighting resume as soon as the deadline passes?

Either way, for the millions of people in Myanmar, the earthquake was just the latest chapter in a long, devastating crisis—and they’ll need help long after the world moves on.