Earthquake Hits Myanmar: Rescue efforts continue in Myanmar after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck on Friday. 

More than 1,600 have died and more than 3,000 are injured. More than 1,200 homes and other structures were damaged or destroyed. 

The earthquake which hit during lunchtime on Friday was also felt in Bangkok. This is the most powerful earthquake to strike Myanmar since 1912.

The George Washington University has experts available who can provide insight on this tragedy. If you would like to schedule an interview, please contact Katelyn Deckelbaum, katelyn.deckelbaum@gwu.edu.

Joseph Barbera is an associate professor of engineering management and systems engineering. Through the GW Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management, Barbera conducts research across a wide range of topics in emergency management, risk management, and business continuity. Current and recent research focuses upon large-scale incident (disaster) management, hazard risk assessments, public health hazard risk reduction, collapsed-structure search strategies, and confined space medical interventions. 

Lisa Benton-Short, a professor of geography, is an expert on urban sustainability, environmental issues in cities, and cities and immigration. Benton-Short can discuss the impact of climate change in amplifying natural disasters and the underlying forces at play that exacerbate the impacts of natural disasters. She can also speak to the steps that can be taken to help make cities and communities more resilient to natural disasters.

Christina Fink, is the assistant dean for undergraduate studies and an associate professor of international affairs at GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs. Fink is an expert on Burma/Myanmar and the politics of development. She served on the United States Institute of  Peace senior study group on Myanmar which produced two reports, and many publications that address the many facets of civil society engagement in development of Myanmar. Newswise/SP