The 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck civil war-torn Myanmar on March 28, 2025 has unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe, with over 3,500 people dead, millions displaced and 20 million people in need of humanitarian aid. The natural disaster quickly evolved into a severe crisis, exposing systemic failures in international aid delivery, the impact of USAID funding cuts, and the ongoing internal military obstruction of relief.
While the U.S. deployed just three non-specialist members of staff and offered minimal financial assistance, China deployed hundreds of rescuers and provided millions in emergency aid.
U.S. aid cuts and the response delay
Budget cuts to USAID under the Donald Trump administration have severely undermined the U.S.’s ability to respond effectively to disasters like the one in Myanmar.
Traditionally, the U.S. would respond swiftly and robustly to an international disaster. Following the 2023 Turkey- Syria earthquake, for instance, it deployed over 225 personnel, sniffer dogs, and specialized equipment within hours, and contributed US$185 million towards rescue and recovery.
In stark contrast, the U.S. response to the Myanmar earthquake was limited to a three-member assessment team of non-specialist advisors from a regional USAID office in Bangkok, a former USAID official revealed to Reuters.
Shockingly, the three personnel were then issued with dismissal notices just hours after the earthquake as the Trump administration pressed ahead with downsizing USAID’s international staff.
While the U.S. has pledged $9 million in emergency relief to Myanmar, sweeping cuts to USAID have resulted in over $2 billion in unpaid debt to humanitarian organizations, contractors, and international partners operating in the country.
This funding gap has forced leading humanitarian organizations to scale back their activities and lay off staff which is further complicating the already challenging rescue efforts. In addition, the cancellation of rescue contracts has disrupted the deployment of U.S. response teams to Myanmar.
Adding to the pressure, in February 2025, the U.S. had already cancelled 39 out of 40 programs in Myanmar, cutting ties with local partners who could have helped to navigate the military Junta’s restrictions.
Despite the setbacks, the U.S. State Department insists that its goals can still be achieved through other means.
“I would reject the premise that the sign of success is that we are physically there,” Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokesperson, told journalists on March 31. “Our goals can be achieved through others,” she added.
Marco Rubio, US State Secretary, defended the limited U.S. response, citing the Junta’s hostility and the obstruction of humanitarian efforts as key obstacles. He urged other wealthy countries such as China and India to contribute more to the relief efforts, the BBC reported.
Junta’s weaponization of aid
Myanmar’s military regime, which seized power in 2021, is now facing renewed accusations of obstructing vital humanitarian assistance.
According to The Guardian, the Junta continues to carry out airstrikes on civilian areas and is obstructing relief efforts. Two Australia-based doctors helping with the rescue explained that the military had seized aid meant for survivors in Mandalay.
The Washington Post has reported that the regime has been diverting aid to areas under its control while neglecting opposition-held regions therefore exacerbating the already dire conditions for those in rebel territories.
U.N. Special Rapporteur, Tom Andrews, confirmed that the Junta has been obstructing aid to regions that oppose its rule, urging the regime to prioritize helping civilians over military aggression.
On March 30, 2025, 13 Myanmar civil society organizations issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) urging international donors not to channel aid through the military regime. They warned that the Junta weaponizes aid to consolidate power and diverts relief for its own political gain.
Moreover, deliberate internet shutdowns and communication blackouts by the military regime have significantly hindered ongoing rescue efforts.
Joe Freeman, from Amnesty International, speaking to The New York Times, highlighted that the lack of proper imaging and disruptions to communication have left millions of people isolated leaving no reliable way to assess the full extent of the damage.
China’s strategic gains
As U.S. aid faltered, China has quickly stepped in to establish itself as a major aid provider.
Within 48 hours of the earthquake, China had deployed more than 600 personnel across 30 teams, including medical professionals and rescue workers, and pledged US$13.8 million in emergency assistance. Its aid package included medical supplies, food, clean drinking water, temporary shelters, and thermal equipment.
Other nations also responded swiftly. India sent two C-17 military transport aircraft carrying a field hospital unit and 118 personnel to establish a 60-bed emergency treatment unit in Mandalay.
Russia sent 120 rescue workers and medical teams to assist with relief efforts. Regional nations such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore also mobilized emergency responders and humanitarian supplies to assist Myanmar.
