Global aid effort begins for Myanmar quake relief

A powerful earthquake has killed more than 1,600 people in war-torn Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand and caused widespread damage.

Here is what we know about relief efforts:

China

China sent an 82-person team of rescuers to Myanmar on Saturday, Beijing's emergency management ministry said.

A separate rescue team from China's Yunnan province arrived in Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon on Saturday, CCTV reported.

The Chinese government will also provide Myanmar with 100 million yuan ($13.8 million) in emergency humanitarian assistance, with shipments to begin Monday, its international aid agency said Saturday.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong dispatched a 51-person team to Myanmar on Saturday, along with two search and rescue dogs and nine tonnes of equipment, including life detectors, the government said.

India

An Indian aid flight landed in Myanmar on Saturday, and more are on the way.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said a C-130 military transport plane had been dispatched carrying hygiene kits, blankets, food parcels and other essentials.

"A search and rescue team and medical team is also accompanying this flight," he added.

A further four aircraft were being sent with personnel and equipment, including a field hospital, as well as two navy ships, officials said.

WHO

The World Health Organization said it was mobilising its logistics hub in Dubai to prepare trauma injury supplies and had triggered its emergency management response.

The global health body was coordinating its earthquake response from its Geneva headquarters "because we see this as a huge event" with "clearly a very, very big threat to life and health", spokesperson Margaret Harris told a media briefing.

United Nations

The UN humanitarian agency OCHA said Saturday it was mobilising emergency response efforts, alongside its partner organisations.

"A severe shortage of medical supplies is hampering response efforts, including trauma kits, blood bags, anaesthetics, assistive devices, essential medicines, and tents for health workers," OCHA said in a statement.

United States

US President Donald Trump on Friday vowed Washington would assist Myanmar, describing the quake as "terrible".

"It's a real bad one, and we will be helping. We've already spoken with the country," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

EU

The European Union said it was providing 2.5 million euros ($2.7 million) in initial emergency aid and assessing the needs on the ground in order to mobilise further assistance from the bloc.

Ireland

Ireland announced it would contribute an initial six million euros in aid, with half going to Red Cross organisations and the other half headed to UN agencies.

Malaysia

Malaysia's foreign ministry said it would also send a team to Myanmar.

The deployment would consist of one commander and 49 rescue personnel "to support ongoing humanitarian and disaster relief operations".

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said the regional bloc ASEAN, of which Myanmar and Thailand are members, "stands ready to assist" both countries.

Philippines

The Philippines said Saturday it is sending a team of 114 people, including medics, firefighters and members of the armed forces. The team's tentative deployment date is Tuesday.

South Korea

South Korea's foreign ministry said it would send $2 million in humanitarian assistance "to support urgent rescue and relief efforts" after the earthquake.

"The Korean government hopes that this support will help save lives and alleviate suffering in the affected areas," the ministry said in a statement.

New Zealand

New Zealand said it would give NZ$2.0 million ($1.1 million) to the International Red Cross for the emergency response.

"Our thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones," Foreign Minister Winston Peters said.