This weekend's earthquake in central Burma destroyed dozens of buildings and has left many too scared to go back to their homes.
At least 13 people have been killed in the 6.8 magnitude quake and dozens of others have been injured.
Rescue workers are struggling to reach some of the areas worst-affected by the tremors, but the international aid group CARE has visited a handful of townships and have started assessing the level of damage.
Thura Thun, the group's emergency response coordinator, told ABC Radio Australia's Connect Asia program that at least 22 government buildings, 25 monasteries and 4 schools have completely collapsed, while many more have been seriously damaged.
"There are a lot government buildings, lot's of schools and lot's of community buildings, and other village buildings collapsed," Thura Thun said.
The initial tremor has been followed by a series of aftershocks, and many people are sleeping outdoors, too scared to go back into their homes.
"I have never felt such a big earthquake in my life. Everybody is terrified," Win Tint, the head of Khu Lel village near Sint Ku township, told AFP.
The local hospital is also treating patients in tents amid fears buildings could be vulnerable to further tremors.
"We decided not to keep the people inside the hospital building as the quakes have been coming continuously," a local official was quoted as saying by the news agency.
Authorities are providing assistance and food packages to victims
However, the UN's chief in Yangon, Ashok Nigam, has warned that aid stocks are stretched because of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Rakhine state in western Burma.
ABC/AFP
Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2012/11/13/burmas-infrastructure-seriously-rattled-by-quake/
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