As Myanmar grapples with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is set to travel to Thailand for a regional summit.

The meeting, scheduled for Friday, will bring together leaders from seven nations bordering the Bay of Bengal, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

The earthquake, which struck central Myanmar last Friday, has claimed 3,085 lives and left 4,715 injured. Hundreds remain missing, and the death toll is expected to rise. Cities lie in ruins, and the destruction has added to the challenges of a nation already burdened by conflict and economic turmoil.

Min Aung Hlaing’s attendance at the summit is unusual, as sanctioned leaders are typically excluded from such gatherings. Thailand, which also felt the earthquake and reported 21 deaths, has proposed a joint statement on the disaster.

The meeting is expected to address regional cooperation in disaster relief and reconstruction efforts.

International aid has poured into Myanmar, but distribution remains difficult due to the country’s poor infrastructure and ongoing civil war. The military junta, which has been fighting an armed resistance since seizing power in 2021, announced a temporary ceasefire on Wednesday to facilitate relief efforts.

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Despite this, military airstrikes continued in rebel-held areas affected by the quake. On Tuesday night, troops fired at a Chinese Red Cross convoy carrying relief supplies, claiming the vehicle failed to stop when signalled. The attack raised further concerns about the junta’s control over humanitarian operations.

The earthquake has deepened Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis, which has been fuelled by years of conflict, economic collapse, and soaring inflation. Millions are already struggling with food and medical shortages, and aid groups have urged the junta to remove any remaining obstacles to relief efforts.

The United Nations has called for an urgent international response, warning that the situation will deteriorate further if aid does not reach affected communities before the monsoon season begins in a month. Humanitarian groups fear that delays could lead to outbreaks of disease and further displacement.

As regional leaders prepare for the summit in Bangkok, the spotlight remains on how Myanmar handles the disaster. Whether the junta will cooperate with international relief efforts or continue restricting access could determine how quickly the country recovers from yet another catastrophe.

Reported by BBC