Myanmar will observe a minute of silence Tuesday to honor the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck the country, killing more than 2,000 people.
The minute of silence, which will occur at 12:51:02 p.m. (0621 GMT) — the exact time the 7.7-magnitude quake hit — is part of a week of national mourning. National flags will fly at half-mast until April 6.
The ruling junta announced the tribute Monday, calling on people to stop and pay respect to the victims, while media outlets should halt broadcasts and display mourning symbols. Prayers will also be offered at temples and pagodas.
The earthquake, which struck on Friday, has caused widespread devastation, particularly in Mandalay, the country's second-largest city with a population of 1.7 million. Many residents are still camped out on streets, unable to return to their damaged homes or fearing aftershocks.
“The situation is so dire that it’s hard to express what is happening,” said Aung Myint Hussein, chief administrator of Mandalay's Sajja North mosque.
As of Monday, the junta confirmed that 2,056 people have died, over 3,900 were injured, and 270 remain missing. The death toll is expected to rise. Among the victims are three Chinese nationals, two French citizens, and at least 19 people in Thailand, where the quake caused the collapse of a construction site.
In Mandalay, the 1,000-bed general hospital was evacuated, and hundreds of patients are now being treated outside in the sweltering heat, as rescuers work tirelessly through the tropical conditions.
Despite the overwhelming crisis, traffic began to return to the streets of Mandalay, and businesses, including restaurants and street vendors, resumed operations. Hundreds of Muslims gathered outside a destroyed mosque to pray for Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.
Myanmar, already grappling with a brutal civil war since the 2021 military coup, faces a dire humanitarian situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the quake a top-level emergency and is urgently seeking $8 million for relief efforts. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched an appeal for more than $100 million.
Myanmar's military junta has called for foreign aid, with international rescue teams arriving. However, reports of air strikes on anti-coup fighters have emerged, further complicating efforts to deliver aid.
UN special envoy to Myanmar, Julie Bishop, called on all parties to cease hostilities and prioritize humanitarian aid and civilian protection. The ongoing conflict has displaced approximately 3.5 million people across the country.