THE SMELL OF DEATH

Beyond its immediate appeal for aid – which prompted responses from countries including China, India, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand – the junta has declared a week of national mourning beginning Mar 31.

Sagaing, the earthquake’s epicentre, has received scant attention compared to Naypyidaw and Mandalay, Myanmar’s administrative and cultural capitals, both still under junta control.

Sagaing, though also junta-held, lies next to areas controlled by resistance forces, particularly the People’s Defence Forces under the National Unity Government.

Residents say the stench of decomposing bodies has filled the streets. But reports indicate that citizens, relief workers and local organisations in Sagaing are being prevented from carrying out effective rescue and relief operations.

The presence of the 33rd Light Infantry Division in Sagaing has made access to the city extremely difficult, if not impossible, according to people on the ground.

“The military is conducting security checks everywhere, making it impossible for them to enter,” Dr Wai Zan, who works at the Sagaing General Hospital, told the New York Times.

International media has been denied entry, leaving the world reliant on citizen journalists who continue to send out news, photos and videos to shed light on the disaster’s aftermath.