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What is happening?
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, at 1:20 p.m. As of April 3, 2025, the death toll in Myanmar has risen to 3,085, making it the most devastating earthquake to hit the country in over a century. Despite the disaster, the military junta has continued bombing regions of the country resisting its rule and is accused of blocking aid convoys. Myanmar’s neighbors have also felt the catastrophic impact of the temblor. By April 3, Thailand had confirmed 20 fatalities. The most significant incident was the collapse of the State Audit Office building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak District. The collapse of the building, which was under-construction, resulted in at least 10 deaths and nine injuries. The building — the only high-rise in Bangkok to have toppled — was the product of a joint venture between a local developer and China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group, a subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned enterprise, sparking controversy over alleged cost-cutting practices.
What is the broader picture?
In Myanmar, rescue efforts remain severely obstructed by a lack of equipment, limited communication networks, and damaged infrastructure. Even though the junta and international stakeholders dispatched rescue teams on the day of the earthquake, many of the hardest-hit areas remain inaccessible. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that major highways connecting Myanmar’s largest cities — Yangon, the capital Naypyidaw, and Mandalay — have cracked and warped, further disrupting transportation and relief efforts.
The international response to the Myanmar earthquake has been shaped by shifting geopolitical dynamics. China, a key backer of Myanmar’s military junta, has taken the lead in aid efforts, pledging 100 million renminbi (approx. US$13.76 million) in supplies and sending over 600 rescue workers. Russia also provided assistance, dispatching two planes with 160 personnel, including medical staff and K9 teams. Meanwhile, the United States, historically the top global humanitarian donor, has contributed a relatively modest US$2 million, reflecting both shifting foreign aid priorities and the recent dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which has weakened Washington’s ability to respond to crises.
Taiwan, which has significant experience in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR), had a rescue team on standby. However, reports indicate that its assistance was rejected, likely due to Myanmar’s close political ties with Beijing. The junta’s decision underscores how disaster response in the region is often undermined by political considerations.
Complicating relief efforts further, Myanmar’s junta has continued airstrikes in areas severely affected by the earthquake, such as Rakhine State where the Arakan Army is fighting for autonomy from the central government. While the military declared a temporary ceasefire on April 2, the ongoing conflict has hampered aid distribution, leaving many communities without sufficient support.
Beyond Myanmar, concerns about infrastructure safety have emerged in neighboring Thailand. Investigations are underway into the China Railway No.10 Engineering Co. (CREC), the contractor responsible for the collapsed State Audit Office building. With CREC involved in numerous government projects across Thailand, the case raises broader questions about construction standards and foreign malign influence in Southeast Asia’s infrastructure development.
Why does it matter?
Natural disasters like the Myanmar earthquake have devastating consequences on human lives, resulting in high death tolls and thousands left struggling to rebuild their lives. However, as this disaster has shown, responses to such catastrophic events are also shaped by geopolitical forces. The most visible aid efforts have come from authoritarian actors — China and Russia — while Western democracies have provided only limited support. The European Union was quick to respond and continues to offer technical assistance through programs such as the Copernicus Earth observation program, but its €2.5 million in emergency aid pales in comparison to China’s pledges. Meanwhile, the dismantling of USAID and Trump’s isolationist stance leave a void that authoritarian powers are eager to fill.
This dynamic strengthens Myanmar’s military junta, which can rely not only on Beijing and Moscow but also on India for continued support. To counterbalance this, regional democracies —especially Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair — must take a stronger stance, denounce the junta’s disregard for the 5-point peace plan (even in the face of a disaster), and push for real accountability.
