Myanmar's ruling military group has announced a temporary ceasefire on the nation's civil war in the wake of last week's fatal earthquake.
The number of people killed by last Friday's magnitude-7.7 earthquake has risen to more than 3000, with a further 4500 others injured according to state-run media, with most of the devastation in Mandalay, the country's second-largest city, and was close to the epicentre.
Now the military junta has agreed to not carry out operations or attacks in the country's civil war between April 2 and April 22, to help the nation recover from the devastating natural disaster.
In a statement, the military said the decision was made "with the aim of speeding up relief and reconstruction efforts, and maintaining peace and stability."
This decision comes after days of pressure from international aid and humanitarian groups, all concerned about a growing hunger crisis in the country and the impact of the quake, reporting that food, clean water and medicines are urgently needed.
