Myanmar/Thailand Earthquake Situation Report #1
- Emergency Manager's Weekly Report
- Mar 30
- 4 min read
Myanmar Highlights:
· On March 28th, two strong earthquakes occurred in central Myanmar, in Sagaing Region, near Mandalay (the second largest city in the country):
o The first one was at 7.7 magnitude at 12:50 pm local time, and the second one was at 6.4 magnitude at 13:02 local time.
o These earthquakes have caused large scale destruction of numerous structures.
o The areas affected by the earthquakes include Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Shan South and East and Sagaing. These areas are already affected by conflict, displacement, and fragile health systems.
· Preliminary reports suggested that at least 1,000 people have died and over 2,200 have been injured; however, the number will likely to increase in the coming days. The casualties are likely to be highest in urban areas of Mandalay, Sagiang and Nay Pyi Taw.
· Healthcare and Public Health:
o In central and northwestern Myanmar, hospitals in Mandalay, Magway, Nay Pyi Taw and Sagaing are struggling to cope with the influx of people injured during the earthquake.
o There is an increased risk of water-borne diseases because of damage to water supply systems.
· Some of the key challenges to the national and international response are:
o Telecommunications and internet disruptions continue to hinder humanitarian communications and operations.
o Damaged roads and debris are obstructing humanitarian access and complicating needs assessments.
o Building fires and liquefaction are reported in affected areas.
o Hospitals and health facilities have sustained extensive damage or been destroyed.
o A severe shortage of medical supplies is hampering response efforts, including trauma kits, blood bags, anesthetics, assistive devices, essential medicines, and tents for health workers.
· The Pacific Disaster Center has published an initial impact assessment:
o There are 19.5 million people that live in the affected areas. There are 2.9 million vulnerable people in the area.
o There is a need for 5.47 billion calories and 7.81 million liters of water per day.
· National Response:
o The State Administration Council (SAC) declared a state of emergency in six regions (Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Eastern Shan state, and Naypyidaw) and launched rescue operations.
o The SAC has requested international assistance to support relief efforts.
o The Myanmar Red Cross has been actively responding to the earthquake:
ü They are coordinating response with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
ü They have been providing search and rescue, first aid and transporting the injured to area hospitals.
ü Providing temporary shelters for affected populations.
· International Assistance:
o The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator has allocated an initial $5 million for life-saving assistance.
o The World Health Organization (WHO) immediate response actions include:
ü The WHO Myanmar country office is providing operational support to Rapid Response Teams deployed in the affected areas.
ü The WHO Regional Office has activated an Incident Management Support Team.
ü WHO is mobilizing essential supplies and dispatching critical supplies.
ü A total of 20 WHO Emergency Medical Teams are ready for deployment.
o The UN, International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) and local NGOs are planning to conduct an inter-agency joint assessment in the affected areas.
o The European Union (EU) is releasing €2.5 million in initial emergency assistance.
o The Copernicus satellite service has been activated to facilitate impact assessment.
o A convoy of 17 cargo trucks carrying critical shelter and medical supplies from China is expected to arrive on March 30.
o On March 29, Singapore deployed the Singapore Civil Defense Force, Urban Search and Rescue Team.
o Malaysia is preparing to deploy the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team.
Thailand Highlights:
· The earthquakes have damaged 13 provinces (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Phrae, Phetchabun, Sukhothai, Chai Nat, Nonthaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Prakan, as well as Bangkok).
· In Bangkok, there are at least nine fatalities, nine injuries and 101 people are reported missing.
· The preliminary damage assessment in the affected areas include:
o 56 houses and residential buildings were damaged.
o Approximately nine office buildings or government facilities were impacted.
o 101 schools were damaged.
o 14 temples and/or religious building suffered damage.
o At least 355 road/bridge sections were affected.
o An undetermined number of electric poles, water systems, and other public infrastructure also sustained damage.
· National Response:
o On March 29th, the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command (NDPMC) was activated.
o The Comptroller General's Department has expanded the government reserve fund to provide emergency assistance to disaster victims by 200 million baht.
o National Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams have been mobilized to assist in rescue operations.
o Over 355 disaster relief equipment items, including mobile operational vehicles, lighting equipment, water pumps, and heavy machinery, have been deployed from four regional disaster prevention and mitigation centers.
Sources:
· Myanmar Earthquake Flash Update #1 (As of 29 March 2025)
· WHO Health Emergencies Programme: Sagaing Earthquake in Myanmar - Situation Report 1st Edition, 29 March 2025
· Myanmar Health Cluster Sagaing Earthquake Situation Report #1, 29 March 2025
· ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance Twitter Page
· Thailand Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Twitter Page
· EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Twitter Page
· Copernicus EMS Twitter Page
· Myanmar Red Cross Society Twitter Page
Resources
Myanmar Earthquake - Health Facilities in affected areas - March 2025
Copernicus Emergency Management Services, Earthquakes in Myanmar
Statement by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Myanmar (29 March 2025)
ACAPS Briefing Note - Myanmar Earthquake: Mandalay pre-crisis profile (29 March 2025)
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