Earthquake Relief in Myanmar Crippled by Airstrikes, Aid Blockage

YANGON, Myanmar – A 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28 has left a trail of devastation, with the death toll exceeding 3,000 and thousands more injured and displaced. However, relief efforts are being severely hampered by ongoing airstrikes by the military junta and restrictions on aid access, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.

Devastation and Casualties

The earthquake, which struck near Mandalay, caused widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure. The tremors were felt across Southeast Asia, including in Bangladesh, India, Laos, Thailand, and China. Initial reports from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicate that many health facilities have been severely damaged or destroyed, leading to a critical shortage of medical supplies.

Independent media outlet DVB documented at least 2,928 deaths across the country as of March 30, while pro-military government channels cited over 1,700 deaths. Hundreds are feared trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings, including old temples and mosques, as the quake occurred at midday when worshippers were attending prayer.

Military Airstrikes Hamper Relief

Despite the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, the Myanmar military junta has continued to carry out airstrikes in affected areas, hindering rescue and recovery efforts. The United Nations has condemned these airstrikes, with rights groups like Amnesty International accusing the military of deliberately blocking aid.

Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, stated that the junta had "chosen to violate its own ceasefire" and "continues to obstruct aid from reaching untold numbers of those in desperate need." He added, "This is making a terrible situation devastatingly worse."

An armed resistance group has also accused the military of targeting civilian areas with airstrikes. Rangsiman Rome, a member of the House of Representatives of Thailand and APHR Board Member, stated, "There is no justification for military airstrikes in the aftermath of a natural disaster."

Aid Blockage and Restrictions

In addition to the airstrikes, the military junta is reportedly blocking aid, enforcing curfews that hinder search and rescue efforts, and restricting access to affected areas. The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) has unequivocally condemned the military's obstruction of critical earthquake relief efforts.

Charles Santiago, APHR Co-Chairperson and former Malaysian MP, said, "The military junta is once again using a humanitarian crisis to assert its authority at the cost of thousands of lives." He added that blocking aid, imposing curfews, and continuing military offensives in affected regions are "not just inhumane—they are crimes against humanity."

Local responders, including civil society groups, ethnic resistance organizations, and grassroots networks, are best positioned to provide timely assistance, but they are being obstructed at every turn. The junta is blocking roads, restricting relief efforts, and even arresting young men in earthquake-stricken areas for forced conscription into its ranks.

International Response and Challenges

The international community has begun to respond to the crisis, with countries like China, India, Russia, Thailand, the United States, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Spain, Israel, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and the European Union providing financial assistance, rescue personnel, and essential supplies.

However, the United Nations' Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief agency (OCHA) has said the response to the earthquake in Myanmar "has been hampered by lack of funding." The United States has pledged $2 million in disaster assistance and offered to send a three-person assessment team.

The country's inaccessibility and the military's restrictions on aid access remain significant obstacles to effective relief efforts. While international rescue teams have arrived in Naypyidaw, their access to the hardest-hit areas remains uncertain.

Pre-existing Challenges

The earthquake has exacerbated an already complex humanitarian situation in Myanmar, which has been grappling with civil strife since the military seized power in 2021. The ongoing conflict has displaced more than three million people, and nearly 20 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the United Nations.

Economist Antonio Graceffo highlighted the "pre-existing challenges in Myanmar" that prevent the fast delivery of assistance to earthquake victims, including the "loss of civic energy," "distrust in the junta," and a "youth deficit" caused by the forced conscription program and the exodus of young workers.

Information blackouts and internet blocks have also made it more difficult to coordinate the delivery of urgent aid to affected areas. The Myanmar Internet Project pointed out that the lack of internet access has severe implications for emergency services, hindering disaster response efforts, obstructing aid coordination, and leaving affected populations unable to reach out for help.

A Call for Action

The situation in Myanmar demands urgent action from the international community. The military junta must cease its airstrikes and allow unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to reach those in need. The United Nations and other international organizations must increase their efforts to provide assistance and ensure that aid reaches the most vulnerable populations.

Harry Myo Lin, a Myanmar expert based in Austria, summed up the country's situation and the need for global solidarity: "A generation already scarred by war is now buried in rubble. Without help, many more will be lost — not just to the earthquake, but to the silence that follows."

The world must act swiftly to alleviate the suffering of the Myanmar people and prevent further loss of life. Failure to do so will have devastating consequences for a country already struggling with conflict and instability.