Myanmar earthquake

Above: Three women on a motorcycle ride past earthquake damage in Mandalay. Credit: CARE Myanmar

On 28 March 2025 at 12.50 local time, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, followed by number of significant aftershocks.

Myanmar’s military regime declared a state of emergency. More than 3,600 lives are estimated to have been lost, with 4,800 injured and tens of thousands of structures damaged. Access to essential services, like electricity and clean water is extremely restricted.

The earthquake compounded an already-dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar, with 19.9 million people in need of humanitarian aid, up twenty-fold since 2021. UN agencies estimate an additional 2 million people have been pushed into the critical need category by the earthquake.

The AHP response

As part of a larger support package, the Australian Government allocated AUD 3.5 million to the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) to respond to the earthquake in Myanmar. This activation builds on the work of the current protracted crisis response taking place through AHP. The activation will take place over 12 months, and involves all six lead AHP agencies and local partners.

Partners are responding to the immediate needs of affected communities. The protection of vulnerable groups such as children and women and girls is a particular priority.