A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar (Burma), near Sagaing, on March 28, 2025 (12:50 local time). Several strong earthquakes – as high as 6.4 magnitude – followed. This is the strongest earthquake in Myanmar since the Maymyo earthquake of 1912.
Much of the damage from the earthquake is in the country’s second most-populous city – Mandalay – home to 1.2 million people; however, many rural villages were also affected, as were roads and bridges to help rescuers reach them. Airports are closed, and power is out as well.
The military junta that has ruled Myanmar since a 2021 coup declared a state of emergency in six areas: Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, eastern Shan State, Naypyidaw and Bago. The military also made a rare request for humanitarian aid from the international community, which is unusual and a clear signal of the extent of the problem. The full extent of the damage may not be known for weeks.
The United States Geological Society (USGS) issued a “red alert” for the earthquake, indicating they believed there would be a high number of fatalities and a significant economic impact. USGS estimates potential loss of life in the thousands and an economic impact that would exceed Myanmar’s GDP.
(Photo: The Royal Thai Army provide assistance and evacuate people trapped inside a building that collapsed in Bangkok due to the earthquake on March 28, 2025. Credit: Royal Thai Army via X)
Other countries impacted by the earthquake include India, Laos, China, Bangladesh and Thailand. In Bangkok, a high-rise building under construction collapsed, trapping several dozen workers. A state of emergency was declared in Bangkok, and schools were closed across the country.
Key facts
- CNN reported: “Rescue efforts are likely to vary hugely between the two countries. Myanmar, one of Asia’s poorest nations, has a long and troubled track record of struggling to respond to major natural disasters. In contrast, neighboring Thailand is far more prosperous and a major tourist destination, with well-resourced and experienced rescue teams.”
- Not all areas affected by the earthquake are controlled by the military junta, which may hinder search and rescue, damage assistance, and the provision of aid. There are no civil society organizations in areas not under army control, so assistance will only come from individuals supporting each other or outside organizations.
- As of March 28 in the afternoon EDT, there were over 140 people killed and at least 700 injured in Myanmar. At least nine people had died in Thailand, including eight in the high-rise collapse, but close to 100 were still missing.
- Nearly 20 million people – over a third of the population of Myanmar – require humanitarian assistance due to ongoing conflict, natural hazards and severe weather events, and political and economic instability. The earthquake will only exacerbate these challenges.
- In January, the World Food Program (WFP) announced that in 2025, 15 million people will face hunger in Myanmar, up from 13.3 million last year. This includes one in four children who suffer from stunting due to lack of nutrition and 7% of children who suffer from wasting.
Existing humanitarian crisis worsened
Increasing conflict since 2023 has heightened the level of displacement in Myanmar. According to UNHCR, as of March 24, 2025, “an estimated 3.56 million people are internally displaced in Myanmar, with an additional 1.35 million refugees, people in refugee-like situations, and asylum-seekers.” Over one-third live in Sagaing, one of the six areas declared an emergency zone.
Nearly 74,000 people have died since the conflict in Myanmar started in 2021, including 20,000 people in 2024 alone. It is the world’s third deadliest conflict, behind Ukraine and Palestine.
Earthquakes are not a natural disaster
Earthquakes are among the most devastating natural hazards. Natural hazards only become disasters when they interact with a human society or community, referred to as vulnerability in disaster studies.
Like the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the earthquake that devastated Myanmar and Thailand cannot be called a “natural disaster.” While natural hazards, such as earthquakes, are inevitable, their impact on society is not.
Funders can help minimize the impact of this unfolding disaster and additional disasters in Myanmar and Thailand by advocating for safe building construction, supporting risk communication campaigns, making long-term investments to ensure a full recovery that incorporates risk reduction, and strengthening preparedness and resilience.
Cash assistance
As with most disasters and emergencies, cash donations are recommended by disaster experts as they allow for on-the-ground agencies to direct funds to the most significant area of need, support economic recovery and ensure donation management does not detract from disaster recovery needs and quickly re-establishing access to basic needs.
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) recommends cash as a donation method and a recovery strategy. Direct cash assistance can allow families to purchase items and services that address their multiple needs. It gives each family flexibility and choice, ensuring that support is relevant and timely. Cash-based approaches to disaster recovery also give people the freedom to choose how they rebuild their lives and provide a pathway to economic empowerment.
Support local organizations
Local humanitarian leaders and organizations are vital in providing immediate relief and setting the course for long-term equitable recovery in communities after a disaster or crisis. However, these leaders and organizations are often under-resourced and underfunded.
Grant to locally-led entities as much as possible. If a tax receipt is needed, CDP has identified several potential grantee partners in Myanmar and Thailand who are responding to the crises.
Donations to CDP’s Global Recovery Fund can allow these organizations to increase support for their communities. If you choose to grant directly, ensure the international partners have deep roots in affected communities and are trusted by and work directly with local and national stakeholders.
Health
Striking without warning, earthquakes often are among the most devastating natural hazards. The aftermath of an earthquake can bring immediate and long-term health impacts, especially in lower-middle-income countries.
Mental health and psychosocial support
The earthquake affected people who were already displaced and will result in new displacements, which will significantly change people’s way of life, perhaps including loss of livelihood, extreme poverty and damaged social support structures. Because of the ongoing conflict, displaced individuals in Myanmar also may have post-traumatic stress disorder.
Survivors of deadly earthquakes are forced to deal with lasting trauma. In times of crisis, older people are often among the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.
CDP’s Global Recovery Fund supports recovery in complex humanitarian emergencies and earthquake-affected communities as they work to rebuild.
Contact CDP
Philanthropic contributions
If you have questions about donating to the CDP Global Recovery Fund, need help with your disaster-giving strategy or want to share how you’re responding to this disaster, please contact development.
(Photo: Emergency response efforts in the Chatuchak District in Bangkok, Thailand following the March 28 earthquake. Credit: Royal Thai Army via X)
Recovery updates
If you are a responding NGO, please send updates on how you are working on recovery from this disaster to Tanya Gulliver-Garcia.
We welcome the republication of our content. Please credit the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.
Resources
Earthquakes
Striking without warning, earthquakes often are among the most devastating disasters. Caused by the movement of plates along fault lines on the earth’s surface, earthquakes often leave a monumental path of instant death and destruction.
Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
CHEs involve an acute emergency layered over ongoing instability. Multiple scenarios can cause CHEs, like the civil wars in Syria and Yemen, the man-made political crisis in Venezuela, or the conflict in Ukraine.
Disaster Phases
Disasters affect millions of people and cause billions of dollars in damage globally each year. To help understand and manage disasters, practitioners, academics and government agencies frame disasters in phases.