Myanmar's ruling junta declared a temporary ceasefire in its civil war on Tuesday to facilitate relief efforts after a 7,7-magnitude earthquake killed more than 3.000 people.
A statement from the high military command was published today on state television MRTV, stating that the ceasefire will last until April 22nd, and that the aim is to express sympathy for the people affected by the earthquake.
Previously, a unilateral ceasefire was declared by armed resistance groups opposing the military government.
These groups must refrain from attacking the state or regrouping, otherwise the army will take "necessary" measures, the army said in a statement.
Earlier today, rescuers pulled three men alive from the rubble five days after the earthquake. However, teams are mostly pulling out bodies.
The earthquake, which had its epicenter in Myanmar, was felt strongly in Thailand and caused extensive material damage. The death toll rose to 3.003 today, with more than 4.500 injured, MRTV reported. However, the numbers are believed to be much higher.
Myanmar was already in the grip of a humanitarian crisis due to civil war. More than three million people were internally displaced and more than 20 million people were in need of assistance even before the earthquake, according to the United Nations.
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