A devastating 7.7 earthquake hit Myanmar on March 28, 2025, leaving devastation in its wake and a rising death toll now exceeding 1,700, with thousands injured or missing. Foreign assistance flowed into the nation in response to the tragedy in the form of medical workers, rescue dogs, and funds to aid relief and restoration.​
Instant Aftermath and Humanitarian Crisis
The epicenter of the quake was close to Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest urban centre and worst affected by the quake. It experienced buildings crashing down, infrastructure hugely destroyed, and the nation’s basic utilities disrupted. The quake occurred when Muslims were marking Friday prayers, and there were a large number of casualties among the faithful, with an estimated 700 dying in collapsed mosques. ​
Survivors have shared traumatic experiences. Mut Naung, for example, was trapped alive in debris from an eight-story Mandalay hotel for five hours before she was freed. Though she survived, she grieves over the deaths of friends and fellow workers who were not so lucky.
India: Conducted ‘Operation Brahma,’ sending five military aircraft with relief materials and rescue teams to Myanmar. ​
China: Sent a team of 82 rescuers and $13.8 million value of relief materials, such as tents, blankets, and medical kits. ​
Russia: Sent two aircraft with 120 doctors and rescuers to help carry out relief efforts. ​
United Kingdom: Announced a £10 million humanitarian relief package to help with relief efforts in Myanmar. ​
United States: President Trump showed readiness to help despite recent cuts to foreign aid, and US military personnel have been participating in rescue efforts. ​
Southeast Asian Countries: Nations like Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam have deployed search and rescue units, medical units, and donations to help Myanmar. ​
Challenges in Relief Operations
Relief operations are faced seriously by infrastructure damage, continuous civil war, and extreme weather. In Mandalay, for instance, sheer volumes of corpses have resulted in cremation in the open because crematoria in the city are overwhelmed by the large volume of corpses. ​
Transport and communication infrastructure have been severely disrupted, hence inhibiting coordination and relief delivery. The current civil conflict has further complicated rescue missions, with reports of ongoing military activities within the affected area. ​
Local Response and Resilience
Barring all these problems, locals have been resilient. Rescue efforts are being carried out manually by locals, searching for survivors under the debris. People are sleeping in the open because homes were destroyed and they are afraid of aftershocks. Immediate medical aid, food, and clean water are needed to assist victims.
The global response to the Myanmar earthquake on short notice bears witness to global solidarity in distress. The scale of the tragedy, however, calls for collective and sustained effort in meeting existing needs and helping recover in the long term. As relief pours in, attention remains focused on evacuating the survivors, offering medical intervention, and rebuilding the devastated areas.
A passionate writer, Niharika wants to create an impact as she believes that Journalism is not just a profession, but a passion to follow and live in. With a keen eye for storytelling and a commitment to impactful writing. she strives to inform, engage, and inspire through the pieces that she crafts. Niharika has covered the 38th National Games, getting to know the lives of athletes and players closely. When not writing she is listening to music, or browsing through social media for more meaningful topics to cover.
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