YANGON -- The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services of Myanmar said on Wednesday that a temporary ceasefire will be in effect from April 2 to 22.

Out of compassion and understanding for the earthquake victims across the country, and in order to accelerate rescue and reconstruction efforts, as well as maintain peace and stability, a temporary ceasefire will be in effect from April 2 to 22, the office said in a statement.

The statement noted that the massive earthquake on March 28 and the subsequent aftershocks caused damage to roads, bridges, and buildings, resulting in casualties.

The country is making every effort to continue rescue and reconstruction work, it said.

The statement said that during the temporary ceasefire, ethnic armed organizations and other armed groups must not obstruct or attack civilian transportation routes, harm lives or public property, assault security force camps engaged in safety and law enforcement duties, attack military bases, mobilize or reorganize forces that undermine peace, or carry out any territorial expansion. If such actions are taken, the defense forces will take necessary measures to protect the people.