Myanmar Faces Mounting Humanitarian Crisis One Month After 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake
April 29, 2025 – Mandalay, Myanmar – One month after a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, the nation is grappling with a worsening humanitarian crisis. The disaster has claimed over 5,352 lives, displaced more than 200,000 people, and left 20 million in urgent need of aid, according to the United Nations and local authorities. The quake, centered near Mandalay, has exacerbated an already dire situation marked by years of civil conflict and underfunded relief efforts.
Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), drew attention to the crisis in a recent X post, sharing a striking image of a dilapidated wooden stilt house leaning precariously over water in a rural area, likely in the Sagaing Region. The structure, surrounded by overgrown vegetation, underscores the vulnerability of communities in flood-prone regions now further devastated by the quake. “Frontline aid workers press on, delivering water, shelter, and protection,” Egeland wrote, “but the crisis runs much deeper.” He noted that global funding for Myanmar’s humanitarian needs is at a mere 8%, despite the escalating demands following the disaster.
The earthquake, which struck along the Sagaing Fault, caused widespread destruction, leveling homes, bridges, and monasteries. A 5.5-magnitude aftershock on April 13 triggered the collapse of a dam in Tatkon Township, flooding nearby villages, as reported by Wikipedia. Power outages persist in major cities like Yangon and Naypyidaw, while rural areas face the looming threat of monsoon season, which could further destabilize already fragile infrastructure. In regions like Sagaing, traditional stilt houses—built to endure seasonal floods—have been heavily damaged, leaving families exposed to the elements.
International aid efforts have ramped up, with India leading through Operation Brahma, a relief mission launched hours after the quake. According to Wikipedia, the operation has delivered 656 metric tons of aid, including medicines and shelters, and treated over 2,500 patients in field hospitals. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the effort in the 121st episode of Mann Ki Baat, noting the rescue of a 70-year-old woman from rubble. “India stands in solidarity with Myanmar,” Modi said, a message amplified by posts from
@PMOIndia
on April 27, 2025.Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Myanmar’s military junta declared a state of emergency in six regions, but ongoing conflict with rebel groups like the Three Brotherhood Alliance has disrupted aid delivery. The National Unity Government (NUG) paused offensive operations to focus on relief, yet junta airstrikes continue, drawing criticism from the UN. Al Jazeera reported on April 21, 2025, that the quake has shifted conflict dynamics, with damaged military supply lines potentially weakening the junta’s hold in some areas.
The international response includes $93 million from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund and a $100 million appeal by the International Federation of Red Cross. However, with only 8% of needed funding secured, the gap remains critical. As monsoon season approaches and aftershocks rattle the region, Egeland’s call for “urgent global attention” underscores the scale of the crisis facing Myanmar—a nation at the crossroads of natural disaster and human conflict.
