Global Response Essential: Myanmar's Earthquake Crisis

Naypyidaw: On March 28, Myanmar experienced the most catastrophic earthquake in its history. The calamity left a significant portion of Mandalay, the nation's second-largest city, in ruins. Nay Pyi Taw, the administrative center, along with various towns in central Myanmar, faced extensive destruction.

In addition to the immediate destruction, this earthquake has heightened Myanmar's already fragile circumstances. Prior to this event, Myanmar was embroiled in one of the deadliest conflicts globally. Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) indicates that the violence in Myanmar's conflicts had outstripped the deadly situation in Ukraine, vast conflict zones in Palestine, and perilous gang wars in Mexico.

More than 200 non-state armed factions are engaged in territorial disputes, financing their actions through illicit trade, black markets, and cyber scams. The country is now recognized as the largest producer of heroin globally and the chief supplier of synthetic drugs.

The ongoing conflict has already destabilized the region, prompting neighboring nations to advocate for containment strategies. Now, following this earthquake, Myanmar risks losing the limited control it previously had over these unconventional security threats.

Meanwhile, the dimensions of the humanitarian crisis are staggering. Within just 72 hours, the death toll in Mandalay alone exceeded 3,000. Vital infrastructure — including transport networks, communication systems, and public utilities — has been severely damaged, significantly hindering search-and-rescue efforts. Being one of the top 10 countries most susceptible to disasters globally, Myanmar has historically been vulnerable to natural calamities. Its risk score for vulnerability is higher than that of its neighbors, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.

However, Myanmar remains the least equipped among them to handle large-scale emergencies.

The nation has faced devastating disasters in the past. The Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 claimed 61 lives in Myanmar, while the floods in 2015 wiped out 3.7 percent of the country's GDP that year. Between these events, Cyclone Nargis ravaged the Ayeyarwady Delta in 2008, resulting in nearly 200,000 fatalities and causing $4 billion in damages.

ASEAN, under the guidance of the late Surin Pitsuwan, facilitated the creation of the Tripartite Core Group (TCG), which united Myanmar, ASEAN, and the UN for a coordinated humanitarian response. This initiative not only aided Myanmar's recovery but also paved the way for its reintegration into the global community.

By 2010, Myanmar's phase of political and economic isolation began to ease, leading to rapid growth and reform in the subsequent decade. The response to Nargis serves as a reminder that effective disaster management transcends mere aid — it involves dialogue, transformation, and change.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, Myanmar's neighbors have risen to the occasion. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping personally contacted Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, offering assistance. Teams from India, China, Singapore, Thailand, and other nations have arrived and have already saved dozens of survivors trapped under collapsed structures.

Their contributions are crucial, as Myanmar lacks both the skills and equipment necessary for effective search-and-rescue operations. In the weeks ahead, this will be a defining moment for Myanmar as the nation enters more challenging phases of relief and recovery operations.

The BIMSTEC summit, along with visits from ASEAN foreign ministers, could serve as a vital platform for advising and assisting Myanmar in tackling the critical challenges surrounding recovery and renewal.

First, the conditionality on humanitarian aid delivery presents a significant obstacle for the global community as it navigates Myanmar's intricate political landscape. The earthquake predominantly devastated military-controlled regions and administrative and commercial capitals that had previously been spared from conflict, leading to an alarming spread of misinformation and disinformation.

The destruction of state-run TV stations, printing houses, and underground internet cables has resulted in a public information blackout in Myanmar. However, this is not the time to politicize humanitarian relief or impose conditions on aid delivery. The focus must be on the victims and their families, with aid distributed based on humanitarian principles, rather than political agendas. The swift response from both nearby and distant nations has been reassuring, but it must be sustained through the critical stages of relief and recovery.

Second, while the influx of rescue and medical assistance has been uplifting, Myanmar must brace itself for the challenging transition from emergency response to long-term reconstruction. Unlike cyclones and floods, which primarily affect rural areas, earthquakes devastate densely populated urban areas, complicating recovery, trauma, and expenses.

The rebuilding of cities and towns will be a lengthy and frustrating process, potentially heightening existing political and social tensions. The 2010 Haiti earthquake stands as a cautionary tale — despite billions of dollars pledged, only a small fraction reached Haiti directly, as corruption and mismanagement hindered recovery. Myanmar must learn from these past mistakes.

To avoid duplication and waste, as well as to prevent an economic crisis, Myanmar needs an effective, centralized reconstruction authority in the aftermath of overlapping donor responses. This is the third, yet most critical challenge.

Although Myanmar has a disaster management law and an inter-ministerial committee, these frameworks are inadequate for managing a disaster of this magnitude. Nepal's response to its 2015 earthquake offers a useful reference — its National Reconstruction Authority acted as a one-stop service for coordinating international aid, managing logistics, and supervising reconstruction efforts. Myanmar possesses the capacity and experience to establish a similar organization, yet this requires political will from all parties to commit to effective resource mobilization and fair allocation.

Lastly, rebuilding trust between the state and society is essential. During Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar's civil society organizations played a pivotal role in coordinating relief efforts and making them participatory. However, years of armed conflict have sidelined the role of civil society, including local NGOs. Buddhist monks, whose schools and monasteries are concentrated in Mandalay and Sagaing, could play a significant role in restoring trust and organizing inclusive reconstruction efforts.

Furthermore, the private sector must also engage in managing economic recovery, as the majority of property losses involve private assets. The Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry can take a proactive role in shaping reconstruction strategies, bridging the gap between civil society and the government, as well as international recovery support.

The world must not abandon Myanmar as it was done to Syria after its devastating earthquake two years ago. This is a crucial moment — not only to save lives but to create a foundation for enduring recovery and change. Myanmar is in dire need of support. It is up to our neighbors and the international community to provide the life support necessary for its survival and renewal.

(Zaw Oo has served as a humanitarian worker during the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Cyclone Nargis disasters. He resides in Myanmar and leads the Centre for Economic and Social Development, an independent think-tank. The views expressed are personal.)