With over 3,000 dead and thousands injured, Myanmar’s quake aftermath worsens amid conflict and aid delays
Myanmar remains in crisis five days after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake devastated central regions, toppling buildings and leaving thousands dead or injured. The military has declared a ceasefire to support rescue efforts, but aid delivery remains mired in conflict and political distrust.
On March 29, 2025, Myanmar was struck by one of its deadliest earthquakes in recent history. Centered near the Sagaing region, the quake has exposed the country’s fractured governance, weak infrastructure, and escalating humanitarian needs.
Buildings Continue to Crumble Amid Aftershocks
Even five days after the initial 7.7-magnitude quake, buildings across Myanmar are still collapsing, particularly in Mandalay and Sagaing. On April 2, two hotels crumbled in Mandalay as people returned, mistakenly believing it was safe. Thousands remain in open streets and parks, terrified of returning to structurally unsound homes. “These tremors are still killing people,” said Michael Dunford from the UN World Food Programme.
The quake has left more than 3,003 people dead, over 4,500 injured, and hundreds still missing. Tremors continue to shake the region, turning rescue operations into a high-risk mission. In one rare moment of hope, a man was pulled from the rubble after more than 100 hours in Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s capital.
Ceasefire Declared, But Conflict Blocks Aid
In a rare move, Myanmar’s military junta announced a temporary ceasefire from April 3 to April 22 to allow rescue operations. This followed similar pauses from opposition forces like the Three Brotherhood Alliance, comprising the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, Arakan Army, and Kokang’s MNDAA. However, the junta warned any regrouping or attacks would “justify necessary action.”
Despite this, aid delivery remains hindered. Amnesty International reported strict military checkpoints and delays, particularly in Sagaing. Some deliveries are being searched and blocked based on perceived ties to resistance groups. Military spokesman Zaw Min Tun admitted troops fired warning shots at a Chinese Red Cross convoy that failed to stop at a conflict zone checkpoint.
International assistance has arrived: Chinese, Russian, Pakistani teams are active, and two Indian naval ships delivered aid in Yangon. Yet relief remains insufficient. The UN estimates that over 28 million people across six regions are affected. Only US$12 million of the required US$1.1 billion for Myanmar’s Humanitarian Response Plan has been received.
UN coordinator Marcoluigi Corsi stated, “Myanmar is not ranked highly among global emergencies, but this is a moment the world needs to act.” He warned that without scaled support, rural areas—especially in resistance-controlled Sagaing—may be unreachable for weeks.
Rights groups are demanding unfettered access for humanitarian workers. Human Rights Watch criticized the junta’s poor track record in allowing aid, citing fears that military forces may misuse supplies. Deputy Asia Director Bryony Lau stated, “The junta cannot be trusted to manage a disaster of this scale,” urging donors to channel aid through independent humanitarian networks instead.
Amnesty International also called on Myanmar’s military to avoid targeting civilians or attacking quake-affected areas, warning that further aggression would endanger already-vulnerable survivors.
Survivors Still Being Found, But Hopes Fade
Despite dwindling hopes, three survivors were found on April 2—two men in a collapsed Naypyidaw hotel and one in a guesthouse in another city. But for many search teams, the grim reality is that they’re now recovering bodies. In rural Sagaing, villagers report shortages of food, clean water, body bags, torches, and mosquito repellents.
Structural damage across the country is vast, with hundreds of buildings, including schools and high-rises, now unsafe. In Thailand, at least 22 people died, including 15 in a collapsed high-rise in Bangkok, as the earthquake’s impact extended far beyond Myanmar’s borders.
Myanmar’s earthquake has deepened the country’s crisis, exposing years of underfunded infrastructure, political instability, and ongoing civil war. While the ceasefire offers a brief window for humanitarian efforts, mistrust and military control continue to impede life-saving operations. The world must move swiftly to support a nation now battling disaster on multiple fronts.
Sources: CNN (2025), Aljazeera (2025)
Keywords: Myanmar Earthquake 2025, Mandalay Collapse, Naypyidaw Rescue, Civil War Truce, Humanitarian Aid Blocked
