Commentary: In Myanmar, war doesn’t pause even for an earthquake

Areas were devastated and flattened, roads cracked open, rows of buildings and homes toppled to the ground, and countless residents are still buried under rubble. The death toll stood at more than 2,700 as of Tuesday afternoon, but the US Geological Service has warned the number of deaths could end up exceeding 10,000. Admittedly, the State Administration Council (SAC) regime’s swift appeal stands in sharp contrast to the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, when the junta initially rejected international assistance, delaying it by two to three weeks.