The World Health Organization has made an urgent appeal for $8 million in aid to address the consequences of the earthquake in Myanmar.
In this Southeast Asian country, about 1,700 people lost their lives in the earthquake that struck last week, while thousands more are at risk from injuries and illnesses.
The United Nations agency said it was operating at the "highest level of emergency."
She said donations are needed "to provide emergency care for the injured, prevent disease outbreaks, and restore essential health services over the next 30 days."
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies also said that "the destruction has been immense" and that "humanitarian needs are growing every hour."
Rescue teams in Myanmar are continuing to search for possible survivors under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
The country's military leadership declared a state of emergency in six regions and allowed foreign rescue teams to enter the country to help with the devastating aftermath of the earthquake.
India, China and Thailand are among Myanmar's neighbors that have sent aid materials and teams. Malaysia, Singapore and Russia have also sent personnel.
Myanmar's military government is engaged in a war with insurgents, but the opposition National Unity Government said fighters under its command would halt all offensive military actions for two weeks, starting March 30.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake - one of the strongest to hit Myanmar in a century - also shook neighboring Thailand, causing damage and casualties there as well./ REL (A2 Televizion)
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