The Independent has reported that on Sunday 12 April, central Myanmar was struck by a 5.5 magnitude earthquake as the Thingyan festival began, Myanmar’s traditional New Year celebration.

It is reported that the epicentre of Sunday's quake was located approximately halfway between Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, and the capital, Naypyitaw.

DEC charities are on the ground in affected communities and are working hard to access remote areas.

The generous UK public has helped to raise over £16 million for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Myanmar Earthquake Appeal in its first week, as the full extent of the support required emerges. 

UN OCHA figures show that of 17 million people affected by the earthquake, there are 6.3 million in the worst affected areas, with 5.2m needing shelter and 3.9m requiring food assistance.  

Phoebe Naw, World Vision Advocacy & Communications Director in Myanmar, said: “I’ve seen many families—including mothers and children—sleeping outside on the pavements at night. Sleeping outside leaves them exposed and unsafe, and if it rains, it is even worse. 

Following the earthquake in Myanmar, the full scale of the earthquake’s impact will take time to emerge, but some immediate impacts include:

• More than 3,500 people confirmed dead      
• More than 5,000 people injured      
• Around 1 in 3 houses in Sagaing – the worst hit area -  have collapsed    
• At least 120,000 buildings have been destroyed  

Despite the many challenges, DEC charities have worked in Myanmar for decades and have a strong local partner base, rooted in the affected communities and able to rapidly respond. Find out more below.

The Scotsman have reported a man from Myanmar now living in Glasgow has warned people in his home country are “suffering a lot” as an emergency fundraising drive raised £1 million in Scotland in just 24 hours.

Jamie Livingstone, head of Oxfam Scotland and spokesman for the DEC in Scotland said: “This earthquake has torn apart lives. As temperatures soar in Myanmar, many people are living with no shelter to protect them."

Adding: "The support and solidarity of the Scottish public will allow DEC charities to deliver critically needed support to those who need it most. Thank you to everybody who has donated so far.”

The Mirror online tells the story of Thida, who gave birth to her baby just days before the 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit, which has reportedly killed more than 3,500 people and injured over 5,00 in Myanmar. 

In Myanmar, more than 150,000 regnant women are living in areas impacted by the earthquake, with a further 17 million affected. 

Read the full story below.

The UK public have rallied to support the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Myanmar Earthquake Appeal, which has raised £7.5 million on the first day. 

The appeal total includes a generous donation from Their Majesties The King and Queen, who are regular supporters of the DEC’s appeals, and impressive donations from the UK public and DEC corporate partners.

Donations to this appeal from the public are still being matched, pound for pound by the UK government up to £5 million, as part of its UK Aid Match scheme.  

The Disasters Emergency Committee launched the Myanmar Earthquake Appeal to raise urgent funds to help people impacted by the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, which has killed more than 3,085 people people, and injured thousands more.

Saleh Saeed, DEC chief executive said: “The devastation in Myanmar is heartbreaking, with thousands of people suddenly losing loved ones in the most shocking of ways. Myanmar was already in the grip of a severe humanitarian crisis. Now, the situation is ever more critical, with many impacted by this earthquake unable to access shelter, clean water and medical care."  

Every pound donated by the British public will be matched by the UK Government through its UK Aid Match scheme, up to the value of £5 million.