South Korea will donate $2 million in humanitarian aid to Myanmar through international organisations to help the country recover from Friday’s earthquake, Reuters reports.
China and Russia, Myanmar’s main arms suppliers, were among the first to offer assistance. A 37-member team from China’s Yunnan province reached Yangon early on Saturday, bringing earthquake detectors, drones, and other equipment, according to Xinhua news agency.
Russia’s emergencies ministry sent two planes carrying 120 rescuers and aid supplies, Tass reports.
India has deployed a search and rescue team, a medical unit, and emergency provisions. Malaysia’s foreign ministry announced it would send 50 personnel on Sunday to assist in the hardest-hit areas.
The UN has set aside $5 million to kick-start relief operations.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump pledged American support for the response. However, some experts have voiced concerns, noting that his administration’s sweeping cuts to foreign aid could undermine the effort.
Reductions to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have already forced the UN and NGOs to scale back many projects in Myanmar.