Amid the biggest natural disaster since Trump first announced USAID cuts, discover which countries are providing relief to Myanmar
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In Myanmar, disasters are compounding. Even before a devastating 7.7-magnitude quake hit the nation last week – killing at least 2,000 and causing widespread damage – it was already reeling from the after-effects of another major issue: USAID cuts.
In 2024, the US government spent $240 million in Myanmar through USAID – a figure totalling around one-third of all multilateral humanitarian assistance to the country – to support the nation amid its ongoing civil war, weakened economy and food shortages.
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But since Trump’s aid freeze back in January, 34 critical projects have been halted, and significant funding in various sectors has disappeared: including $30 million for education projects, $22 million for humanitarian aid and $39 million for human rights and democracy. Ultimately, USAID was effectively ‘decimated’ in the country, as senior lecturer of International Studies at the University of South Australia Dr Adam Simpson explains.
Despite the US’s ongoing shift away from international aid, last week Trump pledged $2 million to Myanmar’s earthquake relief efforts through ‘Myanmar-based humanitarian assistance organisations’. Notably, this sum is significantly less than what the US provided to the 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquake – $85 million under USAID.
The president has also announced that the US will send an emergency response team to Myanmar to support relief efforts. However, due to ongoing ripple effects of USAID cuts – such as the breakdown of various systems to distribute aid – it is expected that the team will only arrive in Myanmar on Wednesday, far past the ‘golden rescue window’ of 72 hours following a quake in which survivors can be found underneath rubble.
Ultimately, following the recent quake – which some estimates suggest could cause economic losses exceeding Myanmar’s GDP – the need for both swift humanitarian and financial aid is becoming more critical in the face of a gaping hole left by a major aid player.
So, with the current absence of comprehensive US aid in Myanmar, here we recap some of the efforts of other countries thus far in providing aid to the nation…
India
Since the earthquake, India has launched Operation Brahma, an aid rescue and relief programme focusing on providing support to Myanmar. Among other supplies, Operation Brahma is supplying rations, tents, medicines and sleeping bags, alongside a fully-functional field hospital to the country. As well as this, 80 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel were sent to Myanmar with equipment such as concrete cutters and drill machines to aid individuals who may be trapped under rubble.
Currently, the total aid sent by India totals 137 tonnes – including the dispatch of two naval ships – although the country reports it will be sending more aid as required.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has announced it will provide an immediate package of up to £10 million of support to those affected by the Myanmar earthquake, focusing on food and water supplies, medicine and shelter.
Russia
In total, 120 members of an Emergency Situations Ministry team from Russia have been sent to Myanmar to help those impacted by the earthquake. This includes a medical team – with specialists in infectious diseases, trauma and resuscitation – alongside two planes with rescue workers, psychologists and trained dogs.
China
One of the first countries to take action, China has already dispatched numerous rescue teams, as well as convoys with medical equipment including first-aid kits, power and lighting equipment along with demolition tools. As of March 31, the Chinese government has pledged $14 million to aid efforts in Myanmar.
South Korea
South Korea has pledged a provision of $2 million USD to support Myanmar.
New Zealand
New Zealand will contribute around $1.14 million to the International Red Cross to bolster relief efforts following the natural disaster. A spokesperson for New Zealand’s Myanmar community, Pe Khin Aung, has expressed his concerns that money donated in ways other than through non-governmental bodies could land in the hands of Myanmar’s ruling military junta.
Malaysia
Last week, Malaysia announced it would offer $2.25 million in humanitarian aid to Myanmar. The country has also sent two aircraft – carrying a total of 50 personnel – to support search and rescue operations, and has called for ‘all parties to cease hostilities and violence’ in Myanmar so that their effective aid can be given out.
