by Opinion Express / 31 March 2025
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday has left widespread devastation, with the death toll rising to 1,644 by Sunday. Over 3,400 people have been injured, while 139 remain missing. In neighboring Thailand, the quake’s impact was felt strongest in the greater Bangkok area, where officials reported 18 fatalities, 33 injuries, and 78 people unaccounted for.
Myanmar, which sits on the volatile Sagaing Fault, bore the brunt of the disaster. The hardest-hit regions include Mandalay, Sagaing, Naypyidaw, Magway, Bago, and Shan State, where entire buildings have collapsed, and critical infrastructure has been severely damaged. The historic Ava Bridge, an essential link between Sagaing and Mandalay, was among the structures destroyed. Mandalay University and several cultural heritage sites also suffered extensive damage.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reported that airports in Mandalay and Naypyidaw remain closed, limiting relief efforts. Telecommunications disruptions continue to hamper emergency coordination, leaving many rural areas cut off from rescue teams.
Authorities and aid organizations are working to assess the full scale of destruction, but access to many affected areas remains restricted. The IFRC has launched an emergency appeal for 100 million Swiss francs (USD 113.3 million) to assist 100,000 people across 20,000 households over the next two years.
With infrastructure in ruins and thousands left homeless, urgent humanitarian aid is needed. Rescue operations are ongoing, but responders fear the death toll could rise further as more bodies are recovered from the rubble. As Myanmar grapples with this catastrophe, the focus remains on saving lives, restoring essential services, and rebuilding communities in the weeks and months ahead.