Myanmar Earthquake: Local and International Response Within 72 Hours
1 April 2025
As of the evening of March 31, the Myanmar military announced that the earthquake had resulted in 2,056 fatalities, over 3,900 injuries, and more than 270 missing persons. Within the first 72 hours of Myanmar’s earthquake, both local and international actors have responded in various ways. Data for Myanmar has compiled and analyzed these responses to the best extent possible, categorizing them by sector.
Search and Rescue
Regarding emergency rescue efforts, the Myanmar military primarily conducted search and rescue operations in Mandalay, Naypyidaw, and Sagaing. In the affected areas, injured individuals were treated at hospitals, but it was observed that medical facilities had limited capacity to accommodate the large number of patients.
The Prime Minister of the National Unity Government (NUG), Mahn Win Khaing Than, addressed the public and announced the commencement of operations by the Emergency Response Coordination Committee. Additionally, NUG instructed its PDF forces to assist in earthquake relief efforts and proposed a two-week ceasefire, offering to conduct rescue operations if security guarantees were provided. NUG also released damage assessment and casualties reports for areas under its control.
China, India, and Russia have transported emergency search and rescue equipment and personnel by air. Hundreds of search and rescue workers from China, India, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong have been actively engaged in rescue operations, focusing on those trapped in Naypyidaw, Mandalay, and Sagaing. A German search and rescue team has also arrived, while Japan and China are preparing to send additional teams. These efforts have successfully rescued hundreds of trapped individuals, though many remain unaccounted for.
The Myanmar military has held emergency meetings in Naypyidaw to coordinate disaster response and has engaged with ASEAN member states and other countries. Among those offering assistance are rescue teams from the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, and some U.S.-based NGOs. However, reports indicate that the military has denied entry to Taiwanese rescue teams. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has called on the military to grant urgent medical access to earthquake survivors. Meanwhile, local search and rescue teams from Kachin, Kayin, Sagaing, Yangon, Tanintharyi, Ayeyarwady, and Magway have mobilized to support search and rescue operations.
Satellite imagery has been made available for emergency response. Maxar Technologies has enabled access through its Open Data Program, and the EU’s Copernicus initiative is also capturing images. Planet Labs has released some satellite photographs. Additionally, Facebook activated its Safety Check feature, allowing users in Myanmar to mark themselves safe.
A technical partnership between Zhuoming Info Aid and Bluesky Rescue aims to facilitate search and rescue coordination among Chinese rescue teams, calling for public participation in sharing rescue-related information. Furthermore, China’s state-owned satellites have been capturing images to assess the damage. The Geographical Society of Myanmar (GSM) has released township profiles to provide accessible data on affected areas.
In earthquake-affected townships, local rescue teams and residents are carrying out operations independently. However, there is an urgent need for heavy equipment, medical supplies, and additional support.
Emergency Assistance
Hospitals and healthcare workers under the Myanmar military’s Ministry of Health have been providing medical treatment to earthquake victims. Due to earthquake damage, the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway was affected, and repair efforts are currently underway. Emergency response teams have been using the old Yangon-Mandalay road to deliver assistance. The NUG has also provided search and rescue operations, medical care, and emergency aid in areas under its control, including Madaya, Singu, and Thabeikkyin townships in Mandalay Region, as well as parts of Sagaing and Bago regions.
Local residents and donors in the affected areas have been distributing emergency aid, including food, drinking water, and mosquito nets. Charity groups from Yangon have also been mobilizing to deliver assistance. Major business groups, such as foundations of KBZ, Ayeyarwady, and CB, have contributed to emergency relief by providing heavy machinery and aid to affected areas in Mandalay, Taungoo, and southern Shan State. The Shwe Oh pharmacy in Mandalay has distributed free first-aid supplies, while the Pacific AA Foundation has donated medicine and medical equipment to earthquake survivors. Additionally, Sweety Home from Yangon has been transporting mosquito nets and pillows worth 20 million MMK for distribution.
For those experiencing psychological distress due to the disaster, telehealth services have been made available.
Currently, local organizations and donors in respective town have initiated emergency assistance efforts, but further coordination is needed to ensure aid reaches all affected areas efficiently.
Coordination Mechanism
Looking at past disaster response efforts, such as those for Cyclones Mocha and Ragi, as well as humanitarian aid for internally displaced persons due to the ongoing conflict, the approach has been for authorities in each controlled area to lead assistance efforts for their respective populations. The Myanmar military is expected to follow its usual practice by forming emergency response and reconstruction committees under the leadership of the National Disaster Management Committee to assist earthquake-affected areas. Meanwhile, the NUG, through its Ministry of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management, may coordinate aid efforts via local administrative groups.
ASEAN has stated that it will coordinate efforts to ensure timely and effective humanitarian assistance and rescue operations. A coordination mechanism already exists between UN agencies and NGOs in Myanmar, but emergency aid delivery remains pending approval from the Myanmar military. Given the division between military-controlled and NUG-administered areas, international organizations, including the UN and ASEAN, may need to facilitate discussions to ensure coordinated humanitarian assistance in earthquake-affected regions.
Humanitarian Funding
The Myanmar military has called for international assistance in response to the earthquake. Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun and the NUCC have also appealed for global support to help the affected civilians. International leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, the UN Secretary-General, King Charles III, and other global figures, have expressed their condolences. ASEAN foreign ministers issued a statement of sympathy, while the President of Timor-Leste sent a letter of condolence to the NUG.
Several countries have pledged humanitarian aid for Myanmar. The United States has committed $2 million, while the United Kingdom has pledged £10 million. The European Union has announced €2.5 million in aid, and South Korea has also committed $2 million. Australia has pledged $2 million, and Norway has committed NOK 120 million. China has promised ¥100 million in assistance. Additionally, the United Nations has allocated $5 million in aid for both Myanmar and Thailand. The Singapore Red Cross has committed $150,000, for both Myanmar and Thailand while the Taiwan Red Cross has pledged $50,000 in assistance for Myanmar.
The NUG has announced that it will allocate $1 million to provide aid to the affected population in areas under its control. However, the Myanmar military has not yet disclosed its budget for earthquake relief efforts.
Ethnic Armed Organizations have also committed to providing assistance. The UWSA has pledged 2 billion kyats, while the KIO, KNU, Chinland Council, RCSS, NDAA, Three Brotherhood Alliance, Karenni State Interim Executive Council. and Mon Liberation Army (MLA) have all expressed their commitment to helping as much as possible.
Several domestic organizations have also contributed to the relief efforts. Yangon United Football Club has donated 10 million kyats, while the Shan State Joint Action Committee (SSJAC) has pledged 18 million kyats. In addition, the Mrauk U Sayadaw has committed 10 million kyats to support those affected by the earthquake.
Myanmar communities abroad have also launched fundraising campaigns. The “Academy Statue” Fundraising Campaign has pledged 5 million kyats, while UFC fighter Joshua Van has contributed 1 million kyats through the Chinland Foundation. The SUU 80 Birthday Campaign Committee has also pledged to support the affected population.
In addition to these efforts, WHO and the ICRC have launched a humanitarian funding appeal of over $100 million. Their goal is to provide emergency medical aid, prevent disease outbreaks, and restore essential healthcare services within the next 30 days.
Information Management
The Myanmar military’s Ministry of Information has been issuing daily updates on relief efforts and the extent of damage and casualties caused by the earthquake. The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has also been providing updates on aftershocks, but public access to this information remains limited. At the same time, the military has prioritized restoring electricity and communication networks disrupted by the earthquake.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has released two flash reports on the Myanmar earthquake to inform international donors. Meanwhile, the Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU) has dedicated a webpage to compiling information on the Sagaing earthquake. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has estimated that the death toll in Myanmar could range from 10,000 to 100,000.
Concerns and misinformation have been spreading, leading to increased public anxiety. As aftershocks continue, rumors about the possibility of another major earthquake and dam failures have caused widespread fear. The disruption of electricity and communication networks has further weakened the flow of reliable information to the public.
Local and international media outlets have been reporting updates from multiple sources, but coverage in global news media remains limited. Media organizations face restrictions on gathering information from affected areas, making it difficult to provide in-depth reporting. However, BBC Burmese has announced plans to expand its radio broadcasts to increase public access to information on the disaster.
Thailand’s telecommunications companies have announced free calls to Myanmar, though it is unclear whether the service is fully functional. Myanmar’s state-owned telecom provider, MPT, has introduced a seven-day offer of 700 minutes of free calls and 700 SMS messages for its users.
