Burma: Myanmar continues to reel from the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28, with urgent calls for international and regional aid. Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa emphasized the critical need for medical support, temporary shelters, and coordinated long-term assistance during an interview on Tuesday.
The powerful quake, one of the strongest to hit Myanmar in a century, caused widespread destruction across a region housing 28 million people. Official figures from the military-led government report 3,645 fatalities, over 5,000 injuries, and 148 individuals still missing. Nearly 49,000 homes and more than 2,100 government buildings were either damaged or destroyed.
During a joint visit to the quake-ravaged capital Naypyitaw over the weekend, Maris and Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan witnessed firsthand the extent of the destruction. Maris stressed the immediate need for field hospitals, as many existing medical facilities are no longer functional due to structural damage. He also raised concerns about the risk of disease among displaced people facing sweltering heat without proper shelter, clean water, or sanitation.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) praised the contributions of more than 30 international search-and-rescue teams from 13 countries. These teams, many now wrapping up their missions, played a critical role in locating survivors and aiding devastated communities.
China, which has sent multiple aid shipments, delivered a fifth batch of relief supplies on Wednesday. The 91-ton consignment included hundreds of tents, mosquito nets, and tarpaulin sheets. China's rescue team also concluded its operations in Myanmar this week.
This humanitarian disaster has deepened the crisis in Myanmar, already suffering from political instability and a collapsing economy following the 2021 military coup. An estimated 3.5 million people were internally displaced even before the quake hit. Although both the military and opposition groups have announced temporary ceasefire to facilitate aid delivery, mutual accusations of ceasefire violations persist.
Myanmar's military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, stressed the importance of rebuilding infrastructure with better resilience to future natural disasters. He called for strict oversight of construction practices during the reconstruction phase.
Thailand and Malaysia have proposed a regional coordination mechanism to streamline aid. Thailand plans to oversee operations in Mandalay, while Malaysia will focus on the Sagaing region—both near the earthquake's epicenter. Maris explained that the goal is to boost local capacity to handle aid effectively and ensure smooth coordination of Southeast Asian support for Myanmar.
“Our teams will not only assist with direct relief but also help manage the broader coordination of aid inflows,” Maris said.
