Earthquake in Southeast Asia

American aid workers on site in Myanmar fired

The United States has fired three experienced aid workers who were sent to Myanmar on behalf of the aid agency USAID to see how the United States can help after the earthquake disaster, the New York Times reports, citing sources.

The people were fired via email on Friday while they were on site in the hard-hit city of Mandalay. This despite Secretary of State Marco Rubio promising that the United States will continue to contribute after international disasters despite the extensive cuts within USAID.

Extreme weather complicates relief work after the quake

Heavy rains are complicating the continued rescue work after the powerful earthquake in Myanmar, AFP reports. Many people whose homes have been destroyed are currently living in temporary tent cities, which have difficulty withstanding the rain and wind.

Meanwhile, temperatures are expected to rise to 37 degrees on Sunday, when the rain has subsided.

“The weather is very extreme,” says Tun Tun, who works for the UN agency UNDP in the area.

The rain combined with the high temperatures risks leading to diseases taking hold in the temporary tent cities.