Earthquake News
A massive earthquake of 7.7 magnitude that struck Myanmar, a Member State of ASEAN, on 28 March 2025 has caused significant loss of lives, widespread injuries, and severe destruction to the infrastructure and properties in several regions in Myanmar. In response to the earthquake, the Government declared a state of emergency in the most affected areas. The state of emergency covers Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Magway Region, the northeastern part of Shan State, Nay Pyi Taw (the capital), and Bago Region. As of 6 April, 3,514 people have lost their lives, more than 4,800 have been injured, and 214 people are still missing in affected areas.
The Government of Myanmar has been carrying out relief and rescue operations in coordination with foreign countries to ensure the necessary materials for food, personal hygiene items, and equipment for temporary shelters and temporary hospitals for the quake-affected people in a timely manner. A week-long national mourning period in response to the earthquake was announced on 31 March 2025, and the mourning period spans from 31 March to 6 April 2025. During that period, the national flag was ordered to be flown at half-mast nationwide as a symbol of national mourning.
It is heartening to learn of the additional support of USD 7 million by the United States, in addition to the initial support of USD 2 million for earthquake-affected communities. The Myanmar Embassy in Washington, D.C. wishes to express its deep appreciation to the Government of the United States and the philanthropic organizations that have started mobilizing medical teams and offered life-saving assistance and essential items to the affected people in Myanmar. The Embassy also thanks the Samaritan’s Purse International Relief from the U.S. for lending a helping hand in setting up an emergency field hospital and providing other relief supports.
The Nay Pyi Taw International Airport and the Mandalay International Airport have resumed their functions following disruptions of the recent earthquake. But these two airports have been designated for relief and aid flights only, while the Yangon International Airport continues to serve as the International Entry Port.
As the Government continues its rescue and relief operations in earthquake-impacted areas, international humanitarian aid continues to arrive in Myanmar, delivering necessary assistance and dispatching relief and medical teams for those affected by the earthquake. As of 5 April, rescue teams from 26 countries are working together with the rescue teams from Myanmar. On 5 April, a flight from the Samaritan’s Purse International Relief from the United States arrived in Myanmar. It has brought 22,634 kilogrammes of medical supplies and equipment for setting up an emergency field hospital with surgical rooms, along with 25 medical personnel, including surgeons and nurses. Furthermore, ASEAN Member States are planning to deploy mobile hospitals capable of performing minor surgical operations for the affected people in the earthquake-stricken areas, as well as providing food, personal hygiene materials, and modern machinery for debris clearance.
The Government has unveiled a plan to provide financial aid of K1 million per person for those who have lost their lives due to the earthquake. In addition, the Government will offer assistance based on the extent of the destruction of the buildings, and rehabilitation measures will also be emphasized before the arrival of the monsoon season, which usually starts in the month of June.
Foreign dignitaries from certain countries and the officials from the UN, including the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), have visited Myanmar and offered assistance for the evolving needs in earthquake-hit areas. Myanmar looks forward to receiving continued support from the international community in its long-term recovery and rehabilitation efforts for the affected communities in Myanmar. Well-wishers and philanthropic organizations who wish to contribute their support for the relief and resettlement of the affected people in cash or kind are welcome to contact the Myanmar Embassy via email, as there is an urgent need for relief supplies.
The Myanmar Embassy in Washington, D.C. extended its sincere gratitude to the Department of State, diplomatic missions, and international organizations, as well as some private sector entities, which have expressed their support and solidarity with Myanmar at this difficult time, as a book of condolences was opened until 4 April in a hybrid format at the Chancery of the Embassy.
Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Washington, D.C., 6 April 2025
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Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar receives Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (6-4-2025, Nay Pyi Taw)
U Than Swe, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar received a delegation led by Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator-the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) at 1000 hrs on 6 April 2025 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw.
During the meeting, Mr. Tom Fletcher informed that international communities have pledged US$ 93 million as donation and UN Central Emergency Relief Fund has allocated US$ 5 million to the people affected by the earthquake in Myanmar. By utilizing those funds, UN will send more staff for on-ground implementation.
Furthermore, they exchanged views on matters related to the UN response to losses and destructions due to the devastating earthquake in Myanmar that struck on 28 March 2025, and enhancing the cooperation between Myanmar and the UN.
Also present at the meeting were Deputy Ministers and Senior Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim, and Head of UNOCHA in Myanmar.
After the meeting, all the delegates observed a one-minute silence for the losses of lives and properties caused by the recent earthquake in Myanmar.
Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with Foreign Ministers of Malaysia and Thailand, met with the Members of Myanmar Disaster Management Committee and the Executive Director of the AHA Centre (5-4-2025,Nay Pyi Taw)
Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, together with the Foreign Ministers of Malaysia and Thailand, met with the Members of Myanmar Disaster Management Committee and the Executive Director of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) at the Jasmine Hotel, Nay Pyi Taw on 5th April 2025.
During the Meeting, the Executive Director of the AHA Centre, Director-General of the Ministry of Health, and the Director-General of the Department of Disaster Management briefed the Foreign Ministers on the needs and current status of relief phase, search and rescue operations up to the 9th day of the earthquake, healthcare, water, electricity and other basic infrastructural needs at recovery and rehabilitation phase following ongoing relief efforts.
Based on the discussions, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, Malaysia and Thailand coordinated to procuring medicine and medical equipment, mobile clinics and mobile operation theatres, basic infrastructure including water and electricity, temporary shelters and mosquito nets as priority needs. The ministers also agreed to continue cooperation for smooth transition to rehabilitation and recovery phase.
Foreign Ministers of Malaysia and Thailand pay joint visit to Myanmar (5-4-2025, Nay Pyi Taw)Foreign Ministers of Malaysia and Thailand pay joint visit to Myanmar (5-4-2025, Nay Pyi Taw)
In demonstrating ASEAN’s unity and solidarity with the peoples of Myanmar who were affected by the deadly 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck central part of the country, Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Haji Hasan, Foreign Minister of Malaysia and the ASEAN Chair for 2025 and Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand paid a joint visit to Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on 5th April.
During the visit, a joint meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, U Than Shwe, expressed deep gratitude to the Foreign Ministers of Malaysia and Thailand for their visit, compassion towards the peoples of Myanmar, and the demonstration of ASEAN solidarity. He also appreciated the humanitarian efforts of ASEAN Member States, which promptly dispatched search and rescue teams and provided humanitarian aids to areas affected by the earthquake.
The Foreign Ministers of Malaysia and Thailand reaffirmed that the ASEAN family stands in solidarity with the peoples of Myanmar and will continue to provide necessary support to earthquake-affected areas. They also discussed on effective coordination for humanitarian assistance and relief operations through the support of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), as well as prioritizing reconstruction efforts for the people.
U Lwin Oo and U Ko Ko Kyaw, Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar receive Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation and Special Envoy of fthe Government of Japan for Naitonal Reconciliation in Myanmar (4-4-2025, Nay Pyi Taw)
U Lwin Oo and U Ko Ko Kyaw, Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar received Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation and Special Envoy of fthe Government of Japan for Naitonal Reconciliation in Myanmar at 0935 hours on 4 April 2025 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw.
During the meeting, Mr. Yohei Sasakawa extended his deepest condolences to the affected families and communities who lost their lives and property due to the devastating earthquake that struck central Myanmar on 28 March 2025. Then, he briefed about his trip to the disaster area in Mandalay and Sagaing Regions and expressed his sincere wishes for Myanmar to overcome the crisis with resilience.
The Deputy Ministers explained the current rescue processes implemented by Myanmar Government with the assistance of international rescue teams, as well as rehabilitation process to be carried out soon. On behalf of the Government and the Peoples of Myanmar, the Deputy Ministers expressed their appreciations to the Nippon Foundation for the provision of US$3 million in emergency assistance, including food and medical supplies.
Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs attends the Twentieth BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting (3-4-2025, Bangkok)
U Than Swe, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs attended the Twentieth BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in the morning of 3 April 2025.
The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. The Foreign Ministers of other BIMSTEC Member States, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Secretary General of BIMSTEC also attended the meeting.
Before the meeting, the ministers and representatives observed a one-minute silence for the victims of the recent earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. The foreign ministers from BIMSTEC Member States expressed their condolences for the damage and loss of life caused by the earthquake in Myanmar and expressed their continued support and assistance to Myanmar.
In his statement, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs expressed deep gratitude to the BIMSTEC Member States for dispatching rescue teams and providing assistance to Myanmar in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28 March 2025. He noted with satisfaction that the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit will adopt the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision (2030) and the Rules of Procedures for BIMSTEC mechanisms. He informed the meeting that Myanmar, as the Lead Country for the BIMSTEC Agriculture and Food Security Sector, hosted the First BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and related meetings. He underlined that Myanmar will continue to work with BIMSTEC member countries to implement the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity and to achieve further progress in India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway Project. In conclusion, he reaffirmed Myanmar’s unwavering commitment to collaboration with all Member States to achieve the goals set in the BIMSTEC Charter and to build a “Prosperous, Resilient and Open BIMSTEC”.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs signed the Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation, which was held ahead of the Twentieth BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting.
Thailand is also hosting the BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum from 2-4-2025 to 3-4-2025 in conjunction with the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, and a young entrepreneur from the private sector is participating in the forum, representing Myanmar.
U Than Swe, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar received H.E. Mr. Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (2-4-2025, Bangkok)
U Than Swe, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, who is in Bangkok of Thailand to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit and related meetings, received H.E. Mr. Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, at 1315 hrs (Thailand Standard Time) on 2 April 2025.
The Deputy Prime Minister and the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs briefed upon rescue and relief efforts of the Myanmar Government following the devasting earthquake on 28 March 2025. During the discussion, the Sri Lankan Deputy Minister informed the Myanmar side that the Government of Sri Lanka and its people will donate US$ one million and will dispatch a medical team along with medicine for providing healthcare services to those injured by the recent earthquake. He appreciated international humanitarian assistance and was grateful to Sri Lanka and other countries for sending medical and rescue teams to Myanmar. Both sides discussed on further strengthening of friendship and cooperation between Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
U Ko Ko Kyaw, Deputy Foreign Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar receives Resident Representative of the World Food Programme (2-4-2025,Nay Pyi Taw)
U Ko Ko Kyaw, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar received Mr. Michael Dunford, Resident Representative of the World Food Programme (WFP) at 15:00 hrs on 2 April 2025 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in Nay Pyi Taw.
During the meeting, the Resident Representative of WFP extended his deepest condolences to the affected families and communities by the devastating earthquake in Myanmar on 28 March 2025.They also exchanged views on the situations pertaining to the assistance to be provided by the WFP for the work of relief and provision of food to the population affected by the earthquake.
At the meeting were also presented by the senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
U Lwin Oo and U Ko Ko Kyaw, Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar receive Ms. Ma Jia, Ambassador of China to Myanmar
U Lwin Oo and U Ko Ko Kyaw, Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar received H.E. Ms. Ma Jia, Ambassador of China to Myanmar at 1600 hours on 1 April 2025 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nay Pyi Taw.
During the meeting, the Chinese Ambassador extended her deepest condolences to the affected families and communities by the devastating earthquake on 28 March 2025, and mentioned that Chinese government has sent 28 rescue teams comprised of 600 members. H.E. Ms. Ma Jia reaffirms continued support for the Myanmar Government’s effort for the disaster relief and resettlement programmes.
On behalf of the Government and the Peoples of Myanmar, the Deputy Ministers expressed their appreciations to the Chinese Government for sending rescue teams and continued supports for the resettlement and rehabilitation to the affected communities.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nay Pyi Taw
Dated: 1 April 2025