Bangkok: The death toll from Myanmar’s devastating earthquake continued to rise on Sunday as foreign rescue teams and humanitarian aid poured into the impoverished nation.
Hospitals struggled to cope with the influx of casualties, while some communities were left to mount rescue efforts with limited resources.
The powerful 7.7-magnitude quake, one of Myanmar’s strongest in a century, struck on Friday, leaving around 1,700 dead, 3,400 injured, and over 300 missing as of Sunday, according to the country’s military government.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the junta chief, warned that the death toll could rise further, with authorities facing mounting challenges in disaster response.
In response, neighboring countries, including India, China, and Thailand, have sent relief materials and rescue teams. Additional aid and personnel have arrived from Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia, aiming to support emergency response efforts in the quake-ravaged regions.
“The destruction has been extensive, and humanitarian needs are growing by the hour,” the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said in a statement.
Declaration of $2 Million for Humanitarian Needs in the Aftermath of the Myanmar Earthquake
March 30, 2025
As an immediate response to the March 28 Sagaing earthquake, the United States will provide up to USD 2 million through Myanmar-based humanitarian assistance organizations… pic.twitter.com/FN929237vq
— U.S. Embassy Burma (@USEmbassyBurma) March 30, 2025
With temperatures rising and the monsoon season approaching in a few weeks, aid agencies have stressed the urgency of stabilizing affected communities to prevent further crises.
The United States has pledged $2 million in aid through Myanmar-based humanitarian organizations. Additionally, an emergency response team from USAID, despite undergoing significant budget cuts under the Trump administration, has been deployed to assist with relief operations.
The earthquake has caused severe damage to critical infrastructure, including bridges, highways, airports, and railways, slowing down humanitarian efforts.
The US Geological Survey’s predictive modeling suggests that Myanmar’s death toll could eventually exceed 10,000, with economic losses potentially surpassing the country’s annual economic output.
