Latest news with #AlexanderMatheou
CNA
28-04-2025
- Health
- CNA
Myanmar quake one month on: Impact still felt by thousands as monsoon season approaches
A month ago, Bangkok was hit by a massive tremor, followed by several aftershocks. A massive earthquake in Myanmar sent buildings in the Thai capital shaking and one solitary office tower, still under construction, folded in on itself. Meanwhile, tens of thousands are still homeless and at risk of diseases as Myanmar struggles to rebuild in the aftermath of the powerful tremor. Alexander Matheou, Regional Director for Asia Pacific at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, talks to CNA's Loke Wei Sue.
Reuters
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Red Cross faces funding shortage in Myanmar earthquake relief
GENEVA, April 17 (Reuters) - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on Thursday it had received only a fraction of an emergency appeal for 100 million Swiss francs ($122.40 million) to help recovery efforts after Myanmar's powerful quake last month. The 7.7 magnitude quake on March 28, one of the strongest to hit the country in a century, killed more than 3,600 people, flattened communities and left many without food, water and shelter. "Only 10% of our 100 million Swiss franc appeal is funded - a lot less than we would have expected. It's not nearly enough," Alexander Matheou from the IFRC told Reuters via video link in Mandalay. The organisation said a broad decline in international donations, exacerbated by cuts to U.S. funding by President Donald Trump 's administration, has caused a funding shortfall. "We have around 200,000 people living on the streets because it is not safe to go home. They are in need of shelter, water, food and sanitation support," Matheou said. "There is destruction of full streets and houses, as well as huge cultural heritage destruction to temples, mosques and churches," he added. There have been more than 400 aftershocks in the last 10 days. Thousands of people are living outside as they are scared to shelter inside houses that have been badly damaged, the IFRC said, adding it is concerned that the coming monsoon season could make conditions even worse. The earthquake came at a vulnerable moment for Myanmar, after four years of military rule and civil war that has crippled infrastructure and displaced millions. Some 3,645 people were killed in the quake, with 5,017 injured and another 148 missing. Nearly 49,000 houses and more than 2,100 government buildings were destroyed, the military has said. ($1 = 0.8170 Swiss francs)
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
7.0 magnitude earthquake strikes off coast of Tonga, prompting tsunami warning
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Tonga early Monday morning, prompting a tsunami warning that has since been lifted. The U.S. Geological Survey said that the earthquake hit about 62 miles northeast of the main island of Tongatapu at around 1:18 a.m. local time. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning that was rescinded about an hour after the earthquake. Locals were not advised to return to their homes by the Tonga Meteorological Services − according to the Tongan news outlet Talanoa o Tonga. The area has seen six aftershocks, all with a magnitude of greater than 4.5, according to the USGS. There were no initial reports of damage caused by the earthquake. The earthquake that rattled Tonga comes days after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, killing nearly 1,700 and destroying structures across the country. Images from the Southeast Asian country on Saturday show the aftermath of the earthquake and tremors, including a 6.4-magnitude aftershock. Predictive modeling by the USGS suggests the death toll could reach as high as 10,000 people. "This is not just a disaster; it is a complex humanitarian crisis layered over existing vulnerabilities," Alexander Matheou, Red Cross regional director for Asia Pacific, said in a press release Sunday. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tonga rattled by 7.0 magnitude earthquake, aftershocks
USA Today
30-03-2025
- General
- USA Today
Myanmar earthquake death toll rises: 'No rescue workers in sight'
Myanmar earthquake death toll rises: 'No rescue workers in sight' The 7.7-magnitude quake Friday rocked an impoverished Southeast Asian nation already beleaguered by years of civil war. Show Caption Hide Caption Deadly earthquake rocks Myanmar, Thailand A 7.7 earthquake shook Southeast Asia, killing over 140. The epicenter was near Mandalay, Myanmar. The number of confirmed deaths from Myanmar's devastating earthquake approached 1,700 Sunday and was expected to keep rising as rescue teams and aid agencies struggled to provide relief amid widespread rubble and growing desperation. The military government put the quake's tentative death toll at 1,644; thousands of others have been injured and hundreds are missing. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, leader of the military government, warned that the number of fatalities could rise and has pleaded for international assistance. The 7.7-magnitude quake Friday, centered near the northern city of Mandalay, rocked an impoverished Southeast Asian nation already beleaguered by years of civil war. The opposition National Unity Government announced a two-week cease-fire starting Sunday to carry out emergency rescue operations. But the Karen National Union, another opposition army, accused the ruling junta of continuing to conduct airstrikes in civilian areas. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it has mobilized hundreds of volunteers to aid search and rescue efforts, provide first aid and distribute emergency relief items such as blankets, tarpaulins and hygiene kits. "This is not just a disaster, it is a complex humanitarian crisis layered over existing vulnerabilities,' said Alexander Matheou, Red Cross regional director for Asia Pacific. Developments: ∎ The main airport in Myanmar's capital Naypyitaw, about 150 miles south of Mandalay, was closed after its air traffic control tower collapsed, killing at least six people, Myanmar Now reported. ∎ In Mandalay, scores of people were feared trapped under collapsed buildings while heavy machinery rescuers needed to search the rubble was in short supply. ∎ Crematoriums in Mandalay were overwhelmed, forcing some families to cremate loved ones in the streets, Myanmar Now reported. Devastation: More deaths reported after Myanmar earthquake The epicenter of the quaked struck near Mandalay, with 1.5 million people the nation's second-largest city. The collapse of sections of a major bridge connecting Mandalay to Sagaing, home to another 300,000 people, slowed the delivery of aid. The Sagaing Federal Unit Hluttaw, a political association, wrote on social media that the situation was dire and there was concern that "people will forget the small city." "There are not enough charities in the town," the association wrote. "We are only rescuing as much as we can, so the situation is getting worse with time." Sagaing resident Han Zin told Reuters much of the town still had no electricity Sunday and that drinking water was running low. "What we are seeing here is widespread destruction. Many buildings have collapsed into the ground," he said. "We have received no aid, and there are no rescue workers in sight." India, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Russia were among countries in the region that rushed to help Myanmar. The United States pledged $2 million in aid funneled through humanitarian organizations and was sending an emergency response team from U.S. Aid for International Development, which is undergoing massive cutbacks under the Trump administration. The task is monumental. The civil war, prompted by a 2021 military coup that ousted the elected government of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, had left the nation's critical infrastructure battered and more than 3 million people displaced. 'Myanmar continues to face internal displacement and food insecurity," Matheou said. "This earthquake exacerbates an already fragile situation." The quake also shook parts of neighboring Thailand, killing at least 18 people across the capital of Bangkok where an unfinished 30-story building collapsed. Thai authorities said at least 76 people remained trapped under the debris, and rescue operations continued for a third day using drones and sniffer dogs to hunt for survivors. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Sunday that the building, being constructed by China, should have withstood the quake, the Bangkok Post reported. He said a committee formed to probe the collapse was expected to conclude it work in seven days. China has sent an expert to inspect the building, and four Chinese workers were questioned for seizing construction documents, he said. Contributing: Reuters
USA Today
30-03-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
'No rescue workers in sight': Death toll rises after Myanmar earthquake
'No rescue workers in sight': Death toll rises after Myanmar earthquake Show Caption Hide Caption Deadly earthquake rocks Myanmar, Thailand A 7.7 earthquake shook Southeast Asia, killing over 140. The epicenter was near Mandalay, Myanmar. The number of confirmed deaths from Myanmar's devastating earthquake approached 1,700 Sunday and was expected to keep rising as rescue teams and aid agencies struggled to provide relief amid widespread rubble and growing desperation. The 7.7-magnitude quake Friday rocked an impoverished Southeast Asian nation already beleaguered by years of civil war. The military government put the tentative death toll at 1,644; thousands have been injured and hundreds are missing. The junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, warned that the number of fatalities could rise and has pleaded for international assistance. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it has mobilized hundreds of volunteers to aid search and rescue efforts, provide first aide and distribute emergency relief items such as blankets, tarpaulins and hygiene kits. "This is not just a disaster, it is a complex humanitarian crisis layered over existing vulnerabilities,' said Alexander Matheou, Red Cross regional director for Asia Pacific. 'Myanmar continues to face internal displacement and food insecurity. This earthquake exacerbates an already fragile situation." Devastation: More deaths reported after Myanmar earthquake India, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Russia were among countries in the region that rushed help to Myanmar. President Donald Trump has promised the U.S. will also provide assistance. In the town of Sagaing not far from the quake's epicentre, resident Han Zin told Reuters much of the town still had electricity Sunday and that drinking water was running low. "What we are seeing here is widespread destruction. Many buildings have collapsed into the ground," he said. "We have received no aid, and there are no rescue workers in sight." The civil war, prompted by a 2021 military coup that ousted the elected government of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, had left the nation's critical infrastructure battered and more than 3 million people displaced. The quake also shook parts of neighboring Thailand, killing at least 18 people across the capital of Bangkok where an unfinished 30-story building collapsed. Thai authorities said at least 76 people remained trapped under the debris, and rescue operations continued for a third day using drones and sniffer dogs to hunt for survivors. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Sunday that the building, being constructed by China, should have withstood the quake, the Bangkok Post reported. He said a committee formed to probe the collapse was expected to conclude it work in seven days. China has sent an expert to inspect the building, and four Chinese workers were questioned for seizing construction documents, he said. Contributing: Reuters
