Friday marks two weeks since a devastating earthquake struck central Myanmar. The United Nations says more than 500,000 people across the country have been left without access to life-saving healthcare.



The magnitude 7.7 quake occurred on March 28. Myanmar's military, which grabbed power in a 2021 coup, said the disaster has left 3,649 dead and 5,018 others injured. It also said 145 remain unaccounted for.



The UN Children's Fund, or UNICEF, said the latest reports indicate continuing damage to infrastructure, including 193 healthcare facilities. It also noted that health workers are reporting critical shortages of medical supplies.



Titon Mitra, resident representative for Myanmar of the UN Development Programme, or UNDP, said that families are living on the streets in temperatures that can reach 40 degrees Celsius.



He also said, "Even if their homes are still standing, they are fearful to enter them."



The official explained that many people in Sagaing and Mandalay are forced to defecate in open spaces and clean water is scarce.



Mitra also said, "The disaster has been compounded by intense rainfall which started earlier than expected last week in Mandalay, impacting the response and worsening the living conditions of homeless survivors."



Mitra warned that reports of cholera, hepatitis and typhoid are surfacing. He added, "The world's attention, and sustained commitment, will be crucial in helping the people of Myanmar navigate this devastating chapter."