I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES
- An earthquake of magnitude 7.0 on the Richter scale and 10 km depth struck the Eastern State of Shan in Myanmar at 20:29:30 hrs Myanmar Standard Time (01:55:12 PM UTC) on 24 March 2011. Six aftershocks have been reported from affected areas. The risk of landslides remains high.
- The latest official number of casualties has risen to 73 deaths and 125 injuries in Tarlay Sub- Township and Tacheleik Township. 224 houses, 11 monasteries, 11 official buildings were damaged in Tarlay.
- One rural hospital in Tarlay was damaged. Tarlay Bridge connecting Tachileik and Kengtung also sustains some damages and is currently impassable.
- The Deputy Minister of Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement has visited Tachileik and neighbouring areas today to inspect the situation. Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Minister, together with his team, is scheduled to visit the affected areas tomorrow (26 March) morning.
- UN and NGOs are mobilizing efforts and started assessments and response.
- Based on some preliminary findings of initial rapid assessment conducted by World Vision International, an estimated number of potentially affected people in Tachileik is 95,000, including over 9,000 in Tarlay and 6,500 in Mong Lin.
- Basic needs identified include food, water, temporary shelter, and basic first aid supplies.
