The country of Myanmar has been in crisis for years. A civil war has been going on since 2021. And then, last Friday, a devastating earthquake hit, leaving at least 3,000 people dead. The tragedy only deepened the humanitarian crisis in the country.One person watching the situation closely is Kim Aris. His mother is Aung San Suu Kyi, who was the country's de facto leader before the military ousted and imprisoned her after a coup four years ago. When Aris spoke to NPR earlier this week, he wasn't even sure where his mother was, or whether she was safe. The earthquake has brought more devastation to Myanmar raising questions about whether the country's military can stay in power – and about the future of its ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.Email us at [email protected] more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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The country of Myanmar has been in crisis for years. A civil war has been going on since 2021. And then last Friday, a devastating earthquake hit, leaving at least 3,000 people dead. The tragedy only deepened the humanitarian crisis in the country.
The situation is very difficult. It's very dire. There is a shortage of food, water, electricity, internet, water.
In the aftermath of the quake, resistance groups and the country's military rulers declared a temporary ceasefire. But there are reports the military continues to launch attacks. Elena Vuolo is the World Health Organization deputy head in Myanmar. She says her team has been focused on getting trauma and surgical kits to hospitals.
We're also working to make sure that this earthquake does not disrupt a health system that was already fragile. Because after all, this earthquake is just an additional crisis within a very dire humanitarian situation.
Even before this earthquake struck, UN officials said that nearly 20 million people were in need in Myanmar. One person watching the situation closely is Kim Aris. His mother is Aung San Suu Kyi, who was the country's de facto leader before the military ousted and imprisoned her after a coup four years ago.
When Aris spoke to us earlier this week, he wasn't even sure where his mother was or whether she was safe.
Well, we believe in Napidor prison. It's very hard to confirm anything. Near where the earthquake hit. So we're very concerned about her well-being, obviously. But it's very hard to confirm anything.
Consider this. The earthquake has brought more devastation to Myanmar, raising questions about whether the country's military can stay in power and about the future of its ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. From NPR, I'm Elsa Chang.
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