Over 3,900 people have been injured in the earthquake in Myanmar and another 270 are missing. Funerals for hundreds of people are expected to take place on Monday.
On Tuesday, the country will hold a minute of silence at 12:51 local time (8:21 Swedish time) – the same time the earthquake occurred on Friday.
A Muslim Myanmar organization reports that over 700 believers died during Friday's prayer. It is not initially clear whether those killed in mosques are included in the report of over 2,000 dead.
The earthquake was incredibly powerful and we were all in shock. Small children cried and screamed with fear, says a man in the Shan state to Save the Children.
Hopes are dwindling
Fear of aftershocks is causing many to seek open spaces, such as football fields, and sleep in tents or under tarpaulins instead of under roofs. Others sleep on the streets with no protection other than a blanket.
Moreover, several hospitals are caring for their patients outdoors in nearly 40-degree heat.
This is very, very inadequate conditions for everyone, says a doctor at Mandalay's largest hospital, with over 1,000 inpatients, to AFP.
We're trying to do what we can here, we're doing our best, continues the doctor, who wishes to remain anonymous.
"Life-saving aid is the acute priority, but providing psychological support to survivors, especially children, is also crucial", says Jeremy Stoner, acting regional chief for Asia at Save the Children, in a press release.
WHO requests 80 million
After three days, hopes of finding survivors in the rubble in Mandalay's central parts are dwindling. The sticky heat is exhausting rescue workers and can also make it harder to identify the dead after a few days.
The World Health Organization has sent out an emergency appeal to collect approximately 80 million kronor for Myanmar.
The money is needed to deliver trauma care, prevent disease outbreaks, and restore basic healthcare functions, writes WHO in a press release.
Neighboring Thailand and its capital Bangkok were also affected by the disaster. There, 17 people have so far been confirmed dead, while around 100 people are injured or missing.
