A unilateral partial ceasefire to facilitate earthquake relief efforts was announced on Saturday by Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government, which coordinates the popular struggle against the ruling military.

Emergency rescue teams on Sunday began trickling into the area of Myanmar hardest hit by a massive earthquake that killed more than 1,600 people, their efforts hindered by buckled roads, downed bridges,

Rescue efforts are underway across Myanmar after a devastating earthquake Friday. Teams and equipment have been flown in from other nations, though the quake damaged airports in Myanmar's major cities.

Even before a powerful 7.7-magnitude quake hit Myanmar, more than 3 million people in the country faced displacement.

Damage is reported in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city (which lies 600km away from the epicentre) and in Naypyidaw, the country’s capital. The control tower of that city’s airport has collapsed, according to Mary Callahan of the University of Washington.

Early Friday, a major 7.7 magnitude earthquake that originated near Mandalay, Myanmar, shook the Earth as far as Bangkok, about 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) away. Two hard-hit cities in Myanmar suffered extensive damage,