Myanmar at crossroads: crisis, aid and fight for stability

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Mandalay, Myanmar, killing at least 2,000 people and causing widespread destruction. The disaster compounds an existing internal conflict following the 2021 military coup, with over 40% of the country outside junta control. The article analyzes challenges for humanitarian aid delivery, noting the military's likely role as primary interlocutor and past use of aid for political control. The National Unity Government (NUG) declared a ceasefire but has limited access to affected areas. Drawing parallels to Turkey's 1999 and 2023 earthquakes and the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, the piece emphasizes the need for international coordination and warns of potential exploitation of power vacuums by harmful actors.