MYANMAR’S junta declared a temporary ceasefire in the country’s civil war today to help relief efforts for survivors of the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake

The announcement by the military’s high command was reported on state television MRTV, which said the truce would run until April 22 and was aimed at showing compassion for people affected by Friday’s quake.

It followed unilateral temporary ceasefires announced by armed resistance groups opposed to military rule.

Those groups must refrain from attacking the state or regrouping, or else the military will take “necessary” measures, the army’s statement said.

It followed news that rescuers pulled two men alive from the ruins of a hotel in Myanmar’s capital today and a third from a guest house in another city, five days after the earthquake.

Most other teams were finding only bodies and concerns were growing that continued military attacks on opposition forces could jeopardise relief efforts.

The Chinese Red Cross was delivering supplies to Mandalay when its convoy came under fire, despite reporting its route to the military, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army said.

But junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said the aid team had not informed authorities that it was in a conflict zone.

He said that a security team fired shots in the air after the convoy, which included local vehicles, failed to stop.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said the aid team and supplies were safe and called on all parties in Myanmar to ensure the safety of rescuers.

The death toll from Friday’s quake has risen to 3,003, with 4,639 injured, MRTV reported, though independent reports are higher.

The earthquake has deepened Myanmar’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, with 20 million people already in need of aid before the disaster.

The Sagaing region, one of the worst-hit areas, is largely controlled by armed resistance groups, further complicating relief efforts, the International Crisis Group said.

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the junta to allow unfettered access to humanitarian aid and lift restrictions on aid agencies, warning against channelling relief efforts solely through military authorities.

HRW deputy Asia director Bryony Lau said in a report: “Myanmar’s junta cannot be trusted to respond to a disaster of this scale.

“Concerned governments and international agencies need to press the junta to allow full and immediate access to survivors, wherever they are.”