The Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar has been plagued by wars and natural disasters since it became independent from Britain in 1948, when it was still called Burma. Relief efforts from Friday’s devastating 7.

UN Assistant Secretary-General Kanni Wignaraja said access into Myanmar, which is notoriously difficult even under normal circumstances, is critical for quake victims.

The U Hla Thein Buddhist monastery in Mandalay was destroyed during the quake while an estimated 270 monks were taking an exam. According to The Associated Press, some 70 monks were able to escape. However, 50 were found dead and over a hundred more are still buried underneath the rubble.

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.

The massive earthquake in Myanmar has exacerbated the country’s existing crises, and will likely worsen instability rather than lead to peace.

Following the March 28 earthquake that struck Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and China, Cardinal Charles Bo, president of the Myanmar Bishops’ Conference, said the people of the Asian country now “need everything,

Thousands of people have been killed after an earthquake rocked much of Southeast Asia, including Myanmar and Thailand. Here's how to send help.

While rescue teams struggle against civil war roadblocks, analysts warn of a ‘cursed’ regime facing a legitimacy crisis.