(VOVWORLD) -Myanmar's military leadership declared a week of national mourning on Monday with flags to fly at half-mast until April 6 in sympathy for the loss of life and damages from a massive quake, which has reportedly killed more than 1,700 people to date.
 Relief supplies to be sent to Myanmar from Yunnan province, China. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) |
On the third day since the devastating earthquake, rescue teams around the world are arriving in Mandalay to reinforce efforts in the race against time to search for survivors.
On Monday, Indonesia's National Armed Forces deployed a hospital ship, three Hercules aircraft and four helicopters to support the emergency response in Myanmar. The force includes a search and rescue team, medical team, and logistics support.
Thailand, which was also hit by the quake, has sent 55 air force personnel including medics and search and rescue specialists as well as medical supplies to Myanmar. This is the first group of 1,000 troops that Thailand has mobilized to assist its neighboring country. Further flights are scheduled for Wednesday and Saturday.
On the same day, two Indian Navy ships with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities bound for Yangon with 52 tons of relief supplies including drinking water, food and medicines, clothing and other emergency items.
On Monday morning, China's first batch of emergency humanitarian aid for Myanmar began to be transported from Beijing Capital International Airport.
On the ground, rescuers are racing against time to find survivors more than 70 hours after the earthquake. According to the Myanmar State Administration Council, as of Sunday, 300 people are still missing in the quake that killed about 1,700 people and injured 3,400.
On Monday morning, at least four survivors were rescued from the rubble in Mandalay and Naypyidaw thanks to the relentless efforts of all forces.