Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing stood astride a jeep, touring columns of saluting soldiers as fighter jets shot flares and helicopters buzzed overhead in an annual display of military might in the capital,

Myanmar's deadliest natural disaster in years has strengthened the position of ruling general Min Aung Hlaing, by opening diplomatic channels closed for four years after his junta ousted an elected government to unleash a brutal civil war.

Here’s what to know about the challenges from the natural disaster—compounded by ongoing civil war—and where the country could go from here.

But as the country faces its latest natural disaster Myanmar’s military leadership has struck a different tone, declaring a state of emergency and calling for humanitarian assistance and blood donations just hours after a 7.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday causing mass destruction. More than 2,700 are dead and thousands more injured.