The international community is responding to the catastrophic earthquake in Myanmar, which has claimed hundreds of lives and left thousands injured.
BY PC Bureau
The devastating earthquake, which struck Myanmar on Friday, has now resulted in a alarmingly higher death toll of 694 people, with a staggering 1,670 individuals reported as injured, as reported by AFP on Saturday.
The toll could climb still higher as hundreds of people are missing and feared trapped under debris.
The magnitude 7.7 earthquake, characterized as shallow, had its epicenter northwest of Sagaing city in central Myanmar. The impact of the tremor was widespread, causing substantial destruction across a large swathe of the country.
Initial reports on Friday indicated a much lower casualty figure, but the updated numbers reveal the catastrophic scale of the disaster. The earthquake not only caused buildings to collapse but also led to the downing of bridges and the buckling of roads, severely impacting infrastructure in the affected regions. The second-largest city in Myanmar, Mandalay, is believed to be among the worst-hit areas, experiencing extensive damage.
The effects of the powerful quake were felt far beyond Myanmar’s borders. Tremors and aftershocks were reported in neighboring countries, including Thailand, China, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, highlighting the immense power of the seismic event. In Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, a 30-story building under construction collapsed as a result of the earthquake, tragically killing at least three workers and trapping many more under the rubble. Rescue operations are ongoing in Bangkok as authorities work to account for all individuals who were at the construction site.
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The international community has begun to respond to the crisis. The United Nations has announced that it is mobilizing relief efforts for Myanmar. Several countries, including India and Indonesia, have offered assistance to both Myanmar and Thailand. India has stated it will be sending approximately 15 tonnes of relief materials, including tents, sleeping bags, food, water purifiers, and essential medicines, via a military transport aircraft.
Ａtouching moment during the tragedy:
The earthquake in Myanmar was felt in Ruili, Yunnan, China, where two nurses at Jingcheng Hospital’s maternity center were seen shielding infants: pic.twitter.com/xDNqPAb9tt— China in Pictures (@tongbingxue) March 28, 2025
Myanmar’s ruling junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, has acknowledged the widespread destruction and the likelihood of the death toll rising further as rescue efforts continue. He has also appealed for international aid to help the country cope with the aftermath of the earthquake. This marks a notable shift, as previous governments in Myanmar have been hesitant to accept foreign assistance.
Hospitals in the affected regions of Myanmar, particularly in Naypyidaw, Mandalay, and Sagaing, are reportedly overwhelmed with casualties, facing shortages of medical supplies and a high demand for blood. The situation is further compounded by the fact that Myanmar already faces a complex humanitarian crisis due to ongoing internal conflicts and displacement, making the earthquake a devastating additional blow to the country and its people. The full extent of the damage and the humanitarian needs are still being assessed, and the coming days will be critical for rescue operations and providing aid to the thousands affected by this powerful earthquake.
Rescue operations are underway across the affected regions of Myanmar, facing significant challenges due to the widespread damage and disruption of infrastructure. Rescue teams, comprised of local volunteers, emergency responders, and military personnel, are working tirelessly to locate survivors trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings. The sheer scale of the destruction, particularly in Mandalay and the areas near the epicenter, is making the search a slow and arduous process. Red steel beams and piles of rubble are hindering efforts to reach potential survivors, with rescuers often resorting to manual digging. The lack of heavy machinery in some areas further complicates the operations.
The ruling military junta has declared a state of emergency in six of the worst-hit regions, including Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago, Eastern Shan, Mayway, and Naypyidaw, in an effort to streamline rescue and relief efforts. However, the ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar presents a significant obstacle, as government forces have lost control of numerous areas, making access for aid groups and rescue teams difficult and, in some cases, impossible. Anti-junta militias, known as the People’s Defence Forces (PDF), have reportedly stated their willingness to assist in humanitarian efforts, potentially opening up some channels for aid in contested areas.
Hospitals in the majo
🇮🇳India has dispatched 15 tonnes of relief material to Myanmar following yesterday’s earthquake.
The relief package includes essential supplies such as tents, sleeping bags, blankets, ready-to-eat meals and generator sets. pic.twitter.com/EZucFzgPDV
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) March 29, 2025
r cities of Naypyidaw, Mandalay, and Sagaing are overwhelmed with the injured, facing critical shortages of medical supplies, beds, and blood. Makeshift treatment areas have been set up, including in hospital parking lots, to cope with the influx of patients. The collapse of some hospital buildings has further exacerbated the situation, leading to evacuations and a reduction in available medical facilities. Domestic appeals for medical supplies and blood donations have been issued by state media.
The international response to the Myanmar earthquake has been swift and multifaceted. Following a rare appeal for international assistance from the junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, several countries and international organizations have pledged support and initiated aid deliveries.
- India was among the first to respond, dispatching an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft carrying approximately 15 tonnes of relief materials. This consignment includes essential items such as tents, sleeping bags, blankets, ready-to-eat meals, water purifiers, hygiene kits, solar lamps, generator sets, and essential medicines.
- China has sent a 37-member disaster response team from Yunnan province, equipped with 112 sets of emergency rescue equipment, including life detection devices, earthquake early warning systems, drones, and portable satellites. This team is the first officially organized international rescue team to arrive in Myanmar. China has also pledged emergency humanitarian assistance and expressed deep sympathy for the people of Myanmar.
- The United Nations is mobilizing relief efforts, with Secretary-General António Guterres stating that the UN team in Myanmar is already in contact with the government to fully mobilize resources in the region to support the affected population. The World Health Organization (WHO) has triggered its emergency management system and is mobilizing its logistics hub in Dubai to prepare trauma injury supplies.
- The United States, despite earlier announcing plans to cut USAID funding, has pledged to assist Myanmar, with President Trump assuring that the country will receive necessary aid for relief and recovery. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also expressed willingness to provide assistance.
- The European Union has stated its readiness to provide support following the devastating earthquake.
- Indonesia‘s President Prabowo Subianto has offered condolences and pledged Indonesia’s readiness to provide all necessary support for recovery efforts.
- The Singapore Red Cross is committing an initial S$150,000 to support emergency relief efforts in Myanmar and Thailand, focusing on the distribution of essential supplies. A public fundraising appeal will also be launched.
- The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is deploying emergency aid through local partners, providing food, water, hygiene kits, and medical supplies to the most vulnerable.
- Project HOPE, a global health and humanitarian organization, is preparing to deploy an emergency response team and has a search and rescue and emergency medical team on standby through partners at SAMU.
- Oxfam has activated its emergency response mechanism in Myanmar and is working with local partners to assess the damage and needs of the affected population, launching a public appeal for donations.
These initial responses highlight the international community’s willingness to assist Myanmar in the face of this devastating natural disaster. However, the complexities of the political situation within the country and the challenges of accessing all affected areas will require sustained and coordinated efforts to ensure that aid reaches those most in need
