Geneva, March 29 (QNA) - The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Saturday affirmed that the humanitarian operations in Myanmar have been hindered by damaged roads and infrastructure, in the wake of the powerful quake that jolted the country on Friday with a magnitude of 7.7.

In a statement, OCHA added that the quake severely damaged critical infrastructure including major bridges and roads, making it difficult for humanitarian operations to access areas in need, stressing that damage to the Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw-Mandalay expressway led to service disruptions, with cracks and surface distortions forcing highway buses to halt operations.

Hospitals in central and northwestern Myanmar are struggling to cope with the influx of people injured in the earthquake, OCHA stated, explaining that 17 cargo trucks of shelter and medical supplies are due to arrive on Sunday to address current shortages of medicines including blood bags.

In addition, Myanmar's military rulers let in hundreds of foreign rescue personnel amid the rising death toll that reached over 1,600 people, the deadliest natural disaster to hit the country in years.

Friday's quake, among the biggest to jolt Myanmar in the last century, crippled airports, bridges and highways amid the consequences of civil war that has wrecked the economy and displaced millions. (QNA)