Nearly one month has passed since a massive earthquake struck central Myanmar claiming more than 3,700 lives, according to the junta. A senior UN official says they will ramp up support for impacted women and children.



NHK interviewed Kanni Wignaraja who serves as the Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Development Programme, on Thursday.



She spoke on the situation in the northwestern region of Sagaing, which is near the epicenter.
She noted that some infrastructure has been recovering, but medical institutions remain damaged. That means women and children lack access to vital medical care.



Wignaraja also pointed out the need of ensuring privacy and security for women and children forced to evacuate in makeshift temporary shelters.



"In these disasters, what happens is, with temporary shelters, you have to make sure that there is safety for women and children, because violence can increase, incidents of abuse can increase. So, that is a key thing."



In Myanmar, both the junta and pro-democracy forces announced a temporary ceasefire to facilitate relief and reconstruction efforts.



Wignaraja said fighting continues in some parts of the country. She called for international commitment to bring about a permanent ceasefire to speed up the country's reconstruction.