Last updated: April 23rd, 2025
In March 2025, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, with its epicenter 10 miles northwest of Sagaing, near Mandalay. The quake was followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock.
According to figures released by Myanmar military authorities, 3,565 people have been confirmed dead, with more than 5,000 injured. These numbers are expected to rise in the coming days. Majority of the deaths were reported in Myanmar's second city Mandalay, and in Sagaing. The State Administration Council has declared a state of emergency for Bago Region, Mandalay Region, Nay Pyi Taw Territory, Sagaing Region and parts of Shan state.
Ancient pagodas, modern buildings, residential housing, temples, and hotels are damaged and the historic Sagaing Old Bridge collapsed.
While the rescue operations continue, people are living on the streets in makeshift tents and waiting for relief supplies, clean water and other essential items.
Phone lines are down, and electricity supplies remain at risk across the country. Hospitals in Mandalay, Magway, Nay Pyi Taw and Sagaing are struggling to cope with the influx of people injured. It was reported that hospitals in Sagaing and Mandalay were unable to admit new individuals seeking care due to being at full capacity.
Oxfam is carrying out a comprehensive emergency relief operation, which includes the distribution of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) support, mosquito nets, blankets, water purification tablets, and cash assistance. We are also constructing emergency latrines to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.
What’s happening in Myanmar
- State of Emergency: The National Disaster Management Committee has declared a State of Emergency across six earthquake-affected areas— Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Magway Region, northeastern Shan state, Nay Pyi Taw Territory, and Bago Region. Recognizing the severity of the crisis, international humanitarian assistance has been requested to support the ongoing response and recovery efforts.
- Humanitarian Needs Reaching Alarming Levels: Before the earthquake, around 19.9 million people in Myanmar (more than one third of the population) were already in need of humanitarian assistance. This includes people affected by conflict, displacement, and lack of access to basic services. The earthquake has only exacerbated these pre-existing conditions.
- Impact of the Earthquake: Myanmar has been facing a protracted humanitarian crisis. The earthquake adds another layer of devastation to an already fragile situation. It has led to more destruction of infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, and schools. People who are already struggling now face additional challenges in terms of shelter, food, and healthcare.
- Disrupted Communication: Communication networks in Myanmar have also been significantly impacted by the earthquake. Many areas, especially rural ones, are experiencing disruptions in phone lines and internet connectivity, making it difficult for people to access vital information. In urban areas, connectivity is minimal and unstable, further complicating relief efforts.
- Risk of disease: Heavy rains in the week following the earthquake have further complicated the humanitarian situation. The existing lack of sanitation and clean water is now increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.
A staff member from Oxfam working on water, sanitation, and hygiene in Mandalay reported firsthand that “Heavy rains flooded drains, polluting the environment and increasing public health risks, including diarrhea, due to flies and insects. Many camps lack proper latrines, forcing people to dispose of human waste without adequate sanitation. There are significant hygiene challenges for the camp population, as food is cooked outdoors, making it difficult to prepare meals after rain. This increases the risk of contamination and the spread of diseases.”
HOW IS OXFAM RESPONDING IN MYANMAR?
Oxfam is working closely with nine local partners to ensure that aid reaches those most in need as quickly and effectively as possible. Our priority remains clear: to save lives, preserve dignity, and prevent further suffering among communities facing unimaginable loss.
- Oxfam’s comprehensive emergency relief operation includes the distribution of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) support, mosquito nets, blankets, water purification tablets, and cash assistance. We are also constructing emergency latrines to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.
- Oxfam in Myanmar and local partners have dispatched a total of 10,284 hygiene and dignity kits, 2,000 mosquito nets, 1,660 blankets, 3,000 drinking water bottles, 4,000 aqua [water purification] tablet strips to Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw. Working with partners in southern Shan state, Oxfam has helped distribute cash to more than 300 families affected by the earthquake. We are also working with partners and volunteers in Sagaing to support communal food kitchens, and delivering cooked meals to families in Mandalay.
- Rapid Needs Assessments have been conducted in several affected areas in close collaboration with local partners. As of now, assessments have been completed in Pinlaung, Nyaung Shwe, and Taunggyi (Shan state), as well as Zayarthiri and Zubuthiri (Nay Pyi Taw). Assessments in Mandalay and Sagaing are currently underway.
- Three Emergency Response Teams, comprising humanitarian officers, gender and protection specialists, engineers, and logistics staff, have been deployed to Mandalay, Taunggyi/Nyaung Shwe, and Nay Pyi Taw. These teams are working on the frontlines alongside local partners, supporting assessments and distributions.
- Initial reports from Oxfam’s field teams and local partners in Mandalay, southern Shan and Sagaing indicate that the priority needs include food, clean drinking water, medical assistance, emergency shelter, and kitchen sets, household kits, and dignity kits.
In the United States, Oxfam is calling on the government to assist communities affected by the earthquake in Myanmar:
"For decades, the U.S. government has responded to sudden onset emergencies primarily by providing humanitarian support through USAID. With USAID effectively gutted and critical staff receiving their final notices in the midst of an emergency, the U.S. government’s ability to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and future crises is severely compromised. Speed, collaboration, and resources are life and death matters when disaster strikes. The illegal decision to dismantle USAID means the U.S. will be unable to show up as it has in past emergencies.
“The U.S. has already missed the first urgent window to help find survivors. The second wave of crisis is the millions of people displaced who will soon face threats of disease, hunger, and more without access to clean water, food, shelter and other resources. The Trump administration must step up and continue the U.S. legacy of providing partnership and leadership right now for the communities who need urgent support." - Abby Maxman, President and CEO of Oxfam America
This is the worst earthquake in Myanmar on record
The deadly earthquake in Myanmar has killed over 3,000 people, torn thousands of families from their homes, and left thousands other with nowhere to go. Entire neighborhoods have been levelled, with major electricity networks, schools, hospitals totally destroyed. Rescue teams are doing all they can, but the destruction is massive.
People need everything. Humanitarian needs are massive as thousands of people are left in the streets.
Safe shelter is hard to find, hospitals are overloaded, and there aren’t enough medical supplies or clean water. People urgently need food, emergency shelter, medical assistance, and essentials like kitchen sets, household kits, and dignity kits. Rescue teams have reported the scarcity of body bags, which is impacting recovery efforts in Mandalay and Sagaing.
Before the quake, humanitarian needs in Myanmar were already immense.
Myanmar is already reeling from multiple disasters. The country was recently hit by Cyclone Mocha, and recent floods after Yagi Typhoon, and — which left over 20 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Myanmar remains one of the world’s most underfunded humanitarian operations. Less than 40 percent of the UN Humanitarian appeal for Myanmar was met last year.
Oxfam and our partners are scaling up our response, but the destruction of roads and infrastructure is making reaching those impacted extremely challenging.
Oxfam together with local partners, has been distributing lifesaving water, as well as, blankets, dignity and hygiene kits within 72 hours of the earthquake. Three field teams have been deployed to the worst-affected areas: Mandalay, southern Shan, and Nay Pyi Taw. Disruption in roads and telecommunications has also made it very challenging to reach some of the most impacted areas.