The world urgently needs to support Myanmar following a devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake that has ravaged buildings and destroyed vital infrastructure.
The magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit Myanmar on March 28, causing extensive damage in the central city of Mandalay, which is near the quake’s epicenter. The UN’s top aid official visited the city to witness firsthand the severity of the destruction, which he described as “staggering.”
Urging “the world to rally behind the people of Myanmar,” Tom Fletcher, the United Nations aid chief, commended the local humanitarian and community groups for their courage and determination in responding to the disaster.
In Mandalay, Myanmar, we met with communities at the center of the earthquake’s impact.
Despite significant loss of life, homes destroyed, and devastated livelihoods, the resilience here is incredible.
The UN is committed to helping, and the world must stand with the people of Myanmar. pic.twitter.com/oL6HktUjrVF
— Tom Fletcher (@UNReliefChief) April 5, 2025
These figures emerged after the head of Myanmar’s military government, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, returned from an unusual trip to participate in a regional summit in Bangkok, where he met with leaders including those from Thailand and India.
The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, called for a permanent ceasefire in Myanmar’s ongoing civil war and emphasized the need for inclusive and credible elections.
China, Russia, and India quickly offered support with rescue missions to locate survivors. The United States, despite having historically been leading in international disaster relief, has controversially diminished its humanitarian efforts.
However, Washington announced an additional $7m in aid on top of an earlier $2m, despite voicing concerns over the expectation of leading global humanitarian efforts.
Since the 2021 military coup against the elected civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s military has struggled to govern effectively, leading to economic and service deteriorations and an already dire situation worsened by the earthquake’s impact.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that the military government has been restricting aid to earthquake-affected areas where communities do not support its rule.
It is also investigating over 53 reported attacks by the military against opposition members, including air strikes, with 16 occurring after a declared ceasefire on Wednesday.
