GENEVA

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) expressed deep concern Friday over the potential humanitarian fallout from a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar earlier in the day.

The quake, which also sent tremors through neighboring Thailand, has caused "significant damage" in Myanmar’s central region, as initial reports have found.

The first jolt was followed by a 6.4-magnitude earthquake 12 minutes later, according to the US Geological Survey.

According to the Myanmar Red Cross Society, emergency teams are assessing the situation, but their efforts are hindered by disrupted power and network lines in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Southern Shan state, the IFRC said in a statement.

"We’re very concerned about the potential humanitarian impact," said Marie Manrique, the program coordinator for IFRC’s Myanmar delegation, during a UN briefing in Geneva.

Initial reports indicated that key infrastructure has been hit hard. "This includes roads, bridges and public buildings," Manrique said. "The major bridge that connects Mandalay to Sagaing has also collapsed."

She also flagged worries over a large-scale dam, which is currently under close watch amid fears of structural damage.

Significant communication challenges are hampering relief efforts, she said, and added: "Commercial telephone lines, many of them are out."

"There is one that we've been able to establish communication on, but that's all that we know currently," she noted.

In a country already grappling with a prolonged crisis, humanitarian concerns are even more acute.

"This will even be particularly worse for those people in situations of vulnerability due to the protracted crisis in country," she warned.

Despite limited access, Red Cross responders are already active as staff and volunteers from the Myanmar Red Cross Society are on the ground and helping as possible, she said.

"We are very concerned about the potential humanitarian impact, and really, it's a developing emergency, and our priority is to ensure that affected communities receive the help that they need as quickly as possible," she assured.

"We will have a clear picture in the next few hours," Manrique noted, stressing that the information available remains "very limited at this time."

The World Health Organization (WHO), for its part, said in the briefing that the agency is ready to move in, but that it has to know exactly where to assist and how to assist with information from the ground as assessments continue.

At least 25 people were killed in Myanmar and three in Thailand, while 81 others were trapped after a skyscraper collapsed in Bangkok following a strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake with an epicenter in Myanmar's Sagaing region on Friday, according to local media.