The UN said it was mobilising emergency response efforts, alongside humanitarian partner organisations, following the huge earthquake that struck on Friday leaving more than 1,600 people dead in Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand.

"As the full scale of the disaster unfolds, urgent humanitarian assistance is needed to support those affected," the UN humanitarian agency OCHA said in a statement.

It said the response was being hindered by a lack of medical supplies, along with damaged roads and communications infrastructure.

"A severe shortage of medical supplies is hampering response efforts, including trauma kits, blood bags, anaesthetics, assistive devices, essential medicines, and tents for health workers," OCHA said.

The agency said hospitals and health facilities had sustained extensive damage or had been destroyed.

"Telecommunications and internet disruptions continue to hinder humanitarian communications and operations. Damaged roads and debris are obstructing humanitarian access and complicating needs assessments," it added.

OCHA said coordination efforts were under way to conduct rapid needs assessments and scale up the emergency response.

"The earthquake caused widespread destruction of homes and severe damage to critical infrastructure," it said.

"Thousands of people are spending the nights on the streets or open spaces due to the damage and destruction to homes, or fearing further quakes."

In central and northwestern Myanmar, hospitals in Mandalay, Magway and the capital Naypyidaw "are struggling to cope with the influx of people injured".

In the southern part of Shan state, multiple townships have been affected, with clothing, blankets, emergency shelters and food assistance needed immediately, OCHA said.

The agency said a convoy of 17 cargo trucks from neighbouring China carrying shelters and medical supplies was expected to arrive on Sunday.