The government has announced the deployment of a rescue team to assist in relief operations in earthquake-stricken areas of Myanmar.

A rescue team from the Bangladesh Armed Forces is set to depart for Myanmar on Sunday aboard a special aircraft to provide medicines, relief materials, and medical assistance on an urgent basis following the devastating earthquake, the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) stated on Saturday.

A severe shortage of medical supplies is hindering relief efforts in Myanmar, the United Nations reported on Saturday, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, according to AFP.

"A severe shortage of medical supplies is hampering response efforts, including trauma kits, blood bags, anaesthetics, assistive devices, essential medicines, and tents for health workers," the UN humanitarian agency OCHA said in an update.

At least 1,644 people have been killed, and more than 3,400 injured in Myanmar, with at least 139 more reported missing, the junta said in a statement. Rescuers continue to search through the rubble of collapsed buildings in a desperate attempt to find survivors.

The powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck northwest of the city of Sagaing in central Myanmar early Friday afternoon, followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock.

According to geologists, this was the most significant earthquake to hit Myanmar in decades. The tremors were strong enough to cause severe structural damage in Bangkok, located hundreds of kilometers away from the epicenter.

BOB Post