Introduction
The military council’s aerial bombings of the Myanmar people, who are struggling to survive after a devastating earthquake, are utterly abhorrent. The initial reports that emerged focused on ‘denying international media access,’ rather than taking prompt action to rescue, search for, and assist the thousands of people killed, injured, or missing in the earthquake.
Since the military coup, the junta has been trying to cover up all the violent actions it has committed against the people of Myanmar by blocking the news. It is now carefully managing its interactions with international governments and organizations involved in earthquake rescue efforts, as well as with media outlets on the ground that are providing accurate information to the world. While countries like China, India, and Russia, which support the junta, can move freely in and out, the junta is restricting both domestic and foreign groups that do not align with them.
This week, the Bi-Weekly News Review by Burma News International (BNI) and Myanmar Peace Monitor (MPM) highlights the conditions of earthquake-affected people in Myanmar, the challenges in obtaining emergency assistance, the efforts of those trying to help and rescue, the actions of the military regime, and both domestic and foreign aid, along with military ceasefires.
Conditions of earthquake victims
The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar at 12:50 pm Myanmar Standard Time on 28 March 2025, has reached 4,316 across 45 towns. Mandalay has recorded the highest number of fatalities, with over 900 deaths. Hundreds of deaths have also been reported in Sagaing, Amarapura, Yamethin, Pyawbwe, Tada-U Zabuthiri, Nyaungshwe, Pyinmana, and Kyaukse.
These figures are based on reports from the National Unity Government (NUG), the State Administration Council (SAC), reliable news media, and on-the-ground sources. As of 8 pm on 6 April 2025, the earthquake has left 6,588 people injured and 448 people missing. 1
The death toll is expected to rise as emergency rescue operations continue to search for people trapped under collapsed buildings following the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake. Additionally, as of 3:30 p.m. on 1 April, more than 240 aftershocks have been recorded, and they continue to occur.
According to measurements by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a 4.7 magnitude moderate earthquake struck near Meiktila, Mandalay Region, at 5:45 p.m. on 2 April.
The USGS has warned that the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck on 28 March has placed Sagaing, Phyu, Yamethin, and Pyinmana on a red alert, indicating the potential for additional hazards such as landslides. Similarly, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw, the headquarters of the military junta, have also been assigned an orange alert level. Additionally, the USGS has pointed out that the earthquake’s tremors could cause significant loss of life and economic damage, requiring urgent responses at both the national and international levels. 2
Those on the Front Lines of Emergency Rescue Operations
Initial images have emerged of volunteer relief teams on the ground, carrying out emergency relief work for the earthquake-affected people. While search and rescue teams in Sagaing, where more than 75 percent of the town was destroyed, have worked tirelessly, rescue efforts have been limited due to a lack of heavy machinery, inadequate rescue equipment, and phone, internet, and power outages.
However, by the evening of 29 March, the day after the earthquake, nearly 200 bodies of those killed had been recovered and cremated by local rescue teams. It is reported that no relief efforts were made by the military council forces, which mainly control Sagaing, now reduced to a ruined town. 3
In Mandalay, the area hardest hit by the powerful earthquake, a civilian relief worker was reportedly slapped and verbally abused by a junta soldier.
“Fearing the soldiers would cause more trouble, I asked him to take the car back to Yangon. He wanted to stay, but if we encountered any issues with him, we wouldn’t be able to continue helping, and the public would suffer. So, we decided to let him go,” said a member of the relief team. 4
Charitable groups arriving in Mandalay from across the country to help rescue people trapped under collapsed buildings due to the earthquake are only permitted to carry out rescue operations after obtaining approval from the military council.
On the evening of 28 March, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) under the National Unity Government (NUG) instructed the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) and the People’s Defense Teams (PDTs) to coordinate with the relevant resistance forces in their respective areas of control and do their utmost to assist the people affected by the earthquake.
On March 29, the NUG-MOD announced a two-week suspension of all offensive operations, except for defensive ones, in earthquake-affected areas and surrounding districts, from 30 March to 12 April, to allow for relief efforts. Meanwhile, the NUG stated that it has also instructed local and international relief teams to provide necessary assistance and protection.
The military council reportedly rejected the National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)’s efforts to coordinate assistance for people in the earthquake-hit areas. The MNDAA has stated that it will provide help through other means due to the military council’s denial of access, citing military concerns. Additionally, the MNDAA announced that it will not hold the Thingyan Festival in Lashio, part of Special Region (1) under its control, on humanitarian grounds. 5
The military regime’s actions
As previously mentioned, the military junta is prioritizing military and security issues over providing assistance and rescue efforts for those affected by the earthquake. Similar to the MNDAA, even other civilian relief organizations are under strict scrutiny. The junta has failed to make timely response to the earthquake, which caused severe disruptions to basic services such as electricity, telephone lines, and internet. Even international media outlets that sought permission to report on the situation were denied access. The military council has declared a state of emergency in the quake-hit areas of Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Shan (East/North), Bago and Nay Pyi Taw. Although it has been announced that relief and humanitarian aid will be provided, it has yet to be effectively implemented on the ground.
On 1 April, at around 9:20 pm, a convoy of nine vehicles carrying relief supplies from the Chinese Red Cross Society for those affected by the earthquake in Myanmar was reportedly fired on by the military junta near Ummati village in Nawnghkio Township, Shan State, according to an announcement by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). Military junta spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Htun confirmed that the soldiers fired warning shots, claiming the convoy had entered without permission and informing. 6
The military council bombed Let Pan Hla village, Singu Township, Mandalay Region, which had been severely affected by the earthquake, with fighter jets at around 6:00 pm on 31 March. The village, controlled by the People’s Defense Forces-Mandalay (MDY-PDF) and its allied forces, has been repeatedly targeted by the military council’s airstrikes. At 10 a.m. on the same day, the military junta also launched a drone attack on Kyauk Kyan village in Naunghkio Township, Shan State.
At around 4:00 pm on 30 March, a military council dropped two bombs on Taw Khu village tract in Hpruso Township in Karenni (Kayah) State. On 28 March, the day of the earthquake, the military council conducted an airstrike in Chaung U Township, Sagaing Region. Examining the actions of the military junta reveals that they are prioritizing gaining military advantage over the forces resisting them, rather than focusing on providing emergency relief to the people affected by the earthquake. However, financial and humanitarian aid from domestic and foreign donors is being widely received, with the aim of helping and rescuing those affected by the earthquake.
Domestic and foreign aid
Any compassionate human society would recognize the scale and impact of the devastation caused by a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake. The neighboring Chinese government, which has faced criticism from the Myanmar people for its self-serving interests and strong ties with the military junta, has announced it will provide 100 million yuan (approximately US$ 12.6 million) ) in aid to those affected by the earthquake in Myanmar and has sent relief teams to assist.
In addition, countries around the world have pledged financial aid totaling over US$ 136 million. This includes US$ 32.2 million from the United Kingdom, US$ 11.6 million from Norway, US$ 20 million from QUAD Group (US, India, Japan and Australia), US$ 9.9 million from the European Union, US$ nine million from Australia, US$ nine million from the United States, US$ 6.5 million from Ireland, US$ six million from Japan, US$ five million from UN, US$ 3 million from ADB, US$ 2.24 million from Malaysia, US$ 2.2 million from Switzerland, US$ two million from South Korea, US$ 1.5 million from Denmark, US$ 1.14 million from New Zealand and US$ one million each from Sri Lanka and Indonesia. 7
Since most of the aid for earthquake victims, amounting to over US$ 136 million, will flow through the military junta, careful monitoring will be necessary to ensure it actually reaches those affected by the earthquake.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on 30 March that it has begun a health emergency response by delivering nearly three tons of medical and surgical supplies, including tents, to hospitals in Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay, to assist the victims of the earthquake in Myanmar.
Thousands of people have been injured in the earthquake, and the people of Myanmar are enduring immense hardship. 8 Relief teams from China, India, Russia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, the UAE, Laos, the Philippines, and Belarus have also been sent to Myanmar. These teams are carrying out relief operations with the permission of the military junta.
Kiran Verma, a volunteer who came from India to assist the earthquake victims, has returned to India after finding it difficult to endure the restrictions imposed by the military junta during the relief efforts.
Kiran Verma writes on his facebook that “I cannot see myself helpless in front of guns. I am sorry as I have to leave for India with a broken heart as I let you die under the rubbles.”
Mr. Kiran Verma wrote that the military junta prevented him from traveling to Sagaing via Mandalay to carry out relief work, without providing any reason. He added, “As I was hoping that the military would show at least a little humanity, if not empathy, during the worst time for your country.” 9
According to a statement by the National Unity Government (NUG) on 30 March, the military junta is reportedly unable to systematically coordinate with civilian relief groups, even in areas under its control. Additionally, the NUG stated that if the military junta can provide security guarantees, Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) staff will cooperate in the relief efforts. 10
The NUG, which has announced its collaboration with local and international organizations to provide humanitarian assistance to earthquake-affected people, declared that it will suspend its offensives for two weeks, from 30 March to 12 April.
The ceasefire paradox
The NUG’s Defense Ministry announced on 29 March that all offensive operations, except for defensive ones, would be suspended until 12 April.
The Three Brotherhood Alliance, formed by MNDAA, TNLA and AA, also announced on 1 April that they would not launch any offensive attacks from their side, except in self-defense, and would unilaterally ceasefire for one month from 1 to 30 April. Coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, revealed on 1 April that it would continue to carry out necessary defensive operations, even though some EROs were not currently engaged in combat, but they were conducting group training and making preparations. 11 The military junta staged fake battles by launching attacks with jet fighters and paramotors along the Pathein-Monywa road between Lemyathnar Township and Kwin Kauk in the Ayeyarwady Region, where it is engaged in conflict with allied forces, including the Arakha Army (AA). 12
On 2 April, the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services announced a “temporary ceasefire from 2 to 22 April.”
During this period, ethnic armed groups and other armed groups have been urged not to disrupt or attack transportation routes used by the public, military bases, or military headquarters, as well as to refrain from recruitment, organizing, and territorial expansion. The junta has also warned that it will take necessary actions in response if these activities occur. 13
Similar to the military junta’s ceasefire, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) announced that it would halt offensive operations, except for defensive ones, from 2 to 22 April. However, the KIO has warned that the military junta must also comply with the provisions of Paragraph (4) of the ceasefire declaration
(Note-During the declared period of the temporary ceasefire, ethnic armed organizations and other armed groups are urged not to disrupt or attack transportation routes used by the general public, cause harm or destruction to the lives and property of the people, attack and disrupt security personnel and their camps, disrupt military headquarters, recruit or mobilize forces that could undermine peace, engage in preparations or territorial expansion. It is also announced that if such actions are carried out, Tatmadaw will take necessary response measures as part of protecting the public.)
Since 3 a.m. on 3 April, the military junta troops fired heavy weapons at Wuyang village in Waingmaw Township, Kachin State, violating the 20-day temporary ceasefire declared by the junta less than 24 hours later. On 4 April, the military junta continued to conduct aerial bombings in Bhamo and Indaw. 14
In addition, on 3 April, the junta bombed the quake-hit Theataw village in Taungtha Township in Mandalay Region, with three paramotors. The bomb landed and exploded beside Taungtha-Kyaukpadaung road, destroying the middle school and some houses in Yaekyaw village. At 6 am on the same day, the advancing military council troops from Ngathayauk police station in Nyaung-U Township, with two tanks, attacked roadside villages such as Myay Thant Taung, Mau Bin, and Kya Oh with machine guns. Since 20 March, the military has been advancing into villages in Nyaung U Township and Chauk Township, burning down homes and arresting people, forcing about 20,000 local residents to flee.
At 9:30 a.m. on 3 April, the villages of Pha Nai, San Saeng, Pay Nu Sut, and Shwe Maw Na in Homalin Township, Sagaing Region, were bombed by MI-2 multi-purpose helicopters, despite no fighting in the area. Later that afternoon, Mokehtaw and Taungpyauk villages in Kani Township were also bombed by paramotors. 15
It is doubtful that the coup group’s ceasefire announcement was merely a pretense to save face for the military leader at the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. It remains uncertain whether the military regime’s actions in response to the powerful earthquake genuinely prioritize the well-being of the affected people, or if it is trying to gain recognition from international governments by sneaking through a backdoor.
Review
The number of houses, churches, and pagodas destroyed by the powerful earthquake of 28 March 2025, along with the rising toll of deaths, injuries, and missing persons, continues to grow. Due to disruptions in basic services such as telephone lines, internet, and other communication channels, as well as power outages, there are still areas that have not been reached by relief efforts, and where information remains unavailable. The cash and other relief supplies received from domestic and foreign donors remain under the control of the junta.
Therefore, it is likely that all-out efforts will be made to ensure that emergency relief and rescue services for earthquake-affected people are delivered quickly and effectively. Domestic and international donors, donor organizations, and donor countries will need to closely monitor and manage their support to ensure that it reaches the affected areas and people without delay or obstruction.
It should be noted that the military coup has surrendered 95 towns to the revolutionary forces, and many towns are also encircled by resistance forces. There may be many limitations for the military junta to easily deliver international aid to Sagaing or Mandalay, which were badly damaged by the powerful earthquake. It should also be used as a means to provide relief teams and emergency relief supplies to the earthquake-affected people through the resistance forces, including the National Unity Government. The inner reality of the coup regime, as observed by Ms. Kiran Verma, a volunteer from India, clearly exposes its lack of sincerity towards the earthquake-affected people, doesn’t it?
Similarly, the military junta’s 20-day temporary ceasefire, which was supposed to address the needs of the earthquake-affected people, is still actively undermined by ongoing airstrikes and ground assaults. Therefore, the ideas of conflict resolution, long-term peace, and dialogue centered on the military junta have come close to vanishing within just 24 hours after the ceasefire declaration.
1 As of 8 pm MST on 6 April, the total number of deaths from the earthquake has reached 4,316, DVB Data Team
2 M 7.7 – 2025 Mandalay, Burma (Myanmar) Earthquake, USGS, 3 April 2025
3 Effective Search and rescue operations have not yet been carried out in Sagaing, the town hardest hit by the earthquake, DVB, 30 March 2025
4 A civilian relief worker reportedly slapped and verbally abused by a junta soldier, DVB, 1 April 2025
5 Military council rejects MNDAA offer to allow aid to earthquake victims, DVB, 31 March 2025
6 Military council admits firing on Chinese Red Cross aid convoy, Myanmar Now, 2 April 2025
7 Myanmar receives over US$ 136.88 million in international aid for quake-hit areas, DVB, 6 April 2025
8 WHO delivers nearly three tons of medical and surgical supplies for Myanmar earthquake, DVB, 1 April 2025
9 All I can say is Pray For Myanmar. https://www.facebook.com/ikiranverma/
10 NUG statement: No relief efforts possible in areas controlled by military, DVB, 30 April 2025
11 Military leader says necessary defense will continue, BBC, 2 April 2025
12 When the AA and allied forces stopped their offensive in Ayeyarwady Region after the earthquake, the military council creates fake battles, People Spring, 2 April 2025
13 Statement on temporary ceasefire, Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services, 2 April 2025
14 Despite the ceasefire declaration, the military continues to conduct shelling and airstrikes in Kachin State, DVB, 3 April 2025
15 Military council which has declared ceasefire, conducts airstrikes in Homalin, Taungtha and Kani, DVB, 3 April 2025