In the weeks following a devastating earthquake, central Myanmar remains engulfed in a humanitarian crisis marked by an unforgiving combination of natural disasters, infrastructural collapse, and insufficient relief capacities. On March 28, 2025, at approximately 12:50 PM local time, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, registering at a shallow depth of only 10 kilometers—an element that dramatically intensified its destructive force. The seismic shock rippled across six major regions, including Mandalay, Sagaing, Naypyidaw, and Shan State, making it one of the most severe quakes in Myanmar’s recorded history. The human toll has been devastating: over 3,700 lives were lost, more than 5,100 people injured, and at least 129 remain unaccounted for. Structural damage has been staggering, with over 65,000 buildings either destroyed or severely damaged. Among these were homes, hospitals, religious sites, and schools—vital social infrastructure that provided stability to already vulnerable communities.
Temperatures in the region’s so-called “dry zone” have surpassed 40°C and continue to rise, creating extreme heat conditions that exacerbate the suffering of tens of thousands already displaced. This heat, far from abating, is compounded by unseasonal and torrential rains, which have caused flash floods in cities like Mandalay and Zagin. Streets have become rivers, tents and temporary shelters have been inundated, and families already traumatized by the earthquake now contend with a brutal climate that vacillates between scorching heat and sudden deluges. These unseasonal rains arrived within days of the earthquake, and by April 12, more than 468 aftershocks had been recorded, compounding the volatility of the region’s geological and environmental conditions. The relentless combination of heat, water, and tremors has turned the displaced population’s search for stability into a prolonged and uncertain ordeal.
The situation is further deteriorated by persistent seismic aftershocks, which began in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake and continue unabated. These tremors have destabilized an already fragile environment and have heightened psychological trauma for survivors, many of whom have endured weeks of recurring shocks. The structural integrity of buildings once deemed safe is now in question, as repeated tremors and saturated soil have led to sudden collapses. Local first responders, operating under the banner of the Myanmar Red Cross with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), have reported that buildings which survived the initial quake have since crumbled, sometimes without warning. These conditions have rendered many structures uninhabitable and hazardous, significantly increasing risks to both affected populations and emergency personnel.
Key infrastructure has suffered catastrophic damage. Roads have buckled, bridges have collapsed, and railways have been compromised, hampering both the mobility of relief teams and the timely delivery of aid. Among the most significant losses was the collapse of the Ava Bridge over the Irrawaddy River, a crucial link in the region’s transportation network. Mandalay International Airport sustained structural damage, further disrupting already strained logistics. While some supply chains between Mandalay and Yangon remain operational, their continuity is not guaranteed, as unpredictable weather and geological instability continue to threaten even these relatively secure corridors. In spite of these challenges, humanitarian organizations have managed to maintain limited operations, navigating obstructed roads and compromised bridges to bring essential goods to displaced populations. However, the terrain remains treacherous, and the scope of logistical disruption is vast.
The crisis of shelter is perhaps the most acute manifestation of this broader catastrophe. Current estimates suggest that dozens of thousands of individuals remain without permanent housing. They are dispersed across hundreds of makeshift camps, which range in structure and stability from communal tents in religious institutions—such as monasteries, mosques, and churches—to ad hoc encampments in open spaces like football fields and privately donated land. In these conditions, people are forced to navigate daily life without reliable protection from the elements, proper sanitation, or consistent access to clean water. These informal settlements, often hastily constructed and poorly resourced, lack the infrastructure needed to ensure public health and human dignity. Maintaining safety and dignity, especially for vulnerable groups such as women and children, remains a pressing concern and an unmet obligation.
Local communities have responded with remarkable solidarity. Civil society actors, private citizens, and grassroots organizations have been instrumental in the initial establishment of camps and the provision of basic services. Their contributions have been vital in the early days of the crisis—setting up tents, distributing food, and coordinating with humanitarian agencies. Yet the scale of the disaster quickly eclipsed what local actors could achieve alone. The IFRC has since launched an emergency appeal for 100 million Swiss francs to support ongoing recovery operations, yet as of mid-April, only a fraction of that amount has been pledged, leaving a wide gap between what is needed and what is currently available.
International assistance, while generous in the early stages, is now critically needed to sustain and expand relief operations. Nadia Kuri, Head of Delegation in Myanmar for the IFRC, has made urgent appeals for global support, emphasizing the need to transition affected families from temporary shelters into more sustainable and secure living environments. This involves not only the physical relocation of individuals from emergency tents to transitional housing but also the social and economic reintegration of entire communities. Many of those displaced have lost not just their homes, but also their means of livelihood, and without targeted support, they face prolonged instability.
Part of the strategy being advocated by the IFRC involves the distribution of cash assistance, empowering survivors to make autonomous decisions about their recovery and livelihood restoration. Such an approach not only addresses immediate material needs but also fosters dignity and agency among those impacted. The intention is to allow individuals to prioritize their own needs—be it food, medical treatment, reconstruction, or education—and to regain a sense of control in a context otherwise defined by chaos. In parallel, the collaboration between the IFRC and the Australian Red Cross is enhancing the capacity of Myanmar Red Cross volunteers, particularly youth, through training in disaster preparedness and response. These efforts underscore the importance of working closely with local actors to build long-term resilience in communities that remain vulnerable to environmental and geopolitical shocks.
Yet humanitarian access in some of the hardest-hit regions, particularly Sagaing, has been severely restricted by Myanmar’s military authorities. There have been credible reports, including those from the United Nations, that aid is being deliberately withheld from populations perceived as opposed to the military junta, which seized power in a February 2021 coup. A unilateral 20-day ceasefire was declared following the earthquake, but ongoing military activity, including confirmed airstrikes, has cast serious doubt on the sincerity of these commitments. The military’s politicization of aid distribution introduces a moral and logistical dilemma that significantly complicates relief efforts, particularly in areas where needs are greatest.
The earthquake’s impact has thus deepened the cracks in a nation already fractured by prolonged civil conflict, authoritarian governance, and economic hardship. Over 3.5 million people were already internally displaced before the earthquake due to ongoing violence and insecurity. Essential public services such as healthcare are overwhelmed, and in some regions, virtually non-functional. The combination of armed conflict, systemic political obstruction, and environmental disaster has created a cascading humanitarian emergency that demands a global response of corresponding magnitude.
The cumulative effect of these crises—extreme weather, seismic instability, infrastructural devastation, military obstruction, and mass displacement—demands an urgent and multifaceted humanitarian response. As the monsoon season approaches, and with no end in sight to the aftershocks or the extreme heat, the window for effective intervention narrows. Myanmar’s people, characterized by extraordinary resilience, now stand at the edge of another precipice. The question remains whether the international community will respond with the urgency and solidarity required to avert further disaster. The report was authored by Nadia Kuri, Head of Delegation in Myanmar for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
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