ASEAN moved quickly to respond to the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and surrounding countries on March 28, 2025.
A reported 1,644 people died, 3,408 were injured, and 139 were missing in Myanmar. Meanwhile, in Thailand, 17 people were reported dead, 32 injured, and 77 were missing due to the impact of the earthquake, which struck Bangkok, 1,000 kilometers away.
These numbers could rise further if humanitarian aid does not reach the most affected areas in Myanmar immediately.
The Myanmar military junta invited the international community to provide assistance in dealing with the impact of the earthquake in Myanmar. In an official statement broadcast on state television, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said: “We issue an open invitation to any organizations and nations willing to come and help the people in need within our country.” This invitation was said to be a rare one from a Myanmar leader since the military coup in 2021.
ASEAN Commitment
In response to the situation in Myanmar, on March 29, 2025, ASEAN Foreign Ministers immediately held an online meeting to align their views on responding to the earthquake. Also present at the meeting were ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, the Deputy Executive Director of the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Center), and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste as an observer.
From the meeting, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers declared a four-point statement:
Expressing deep sympathy and condolences to the people of Myanmar and Thailand who experienced the powerful earthquake.
Expressing solidarity with the families of the communities affected by the earthquake. The impact of the earthquake has resulted in a huge loss of life, injuries, and extensive destruction in Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the surrounding areas.
Emphasizing the importance of humanitarian assistance and ASEAN’s readiness to support humanitarian relief and recovery efforts, including through the deployment of the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ERAT), the utilization of the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA), and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR),
Affirming ASEAN’s solidarity and readiness to work closely in coordinating humanitarian assistance, supporting and facilitating relief operations, and ensuring a timely and effective humanitarian response with the assistance of the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Center), the Foreign Ministers of Myanmar and Thailand expressed their appreciation for ASEAN’s responsiveness, solidarity, and proactive assistance in emergency response operations.
As ASEAN Chair for 2025, Malaysia has also specifically sent a humanitarian team to Myanmar. As of March 30, 2025, personnel teams from Thailand and Singapore (Lionheart Contingent) have reportedly arrived in Myanmar to begin humanitarian operations.
Teams from China (Blue Sky Rescue/BSR), India, and Russia have also reportedly successfully landed in Myanmar to begin emergency response operations.
Global Support
Support was also provided by international organizations and world leaders.
The UN pledged US$5 million in aid to support emergency response operations in Myanmar. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed Europe’s readiness to assist Myanmar.
The Chinese government pledged 100 million yuan (US$13.8 million) for humanitarian aid in Myanmar. New Zealand, through its Foreign Minister, announced a NZD 2 million humanitarian aid package for Myanmar. The Korean Foreign Minister pledged US$2 million in humanitarian aid.
Australia also joined the countries ready to assist Myanmar with an initial US$2 million in aid through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Source: USGS/Reuter.
Myanmar’s Political Crisis as an Obstacle
The outpouring of support for the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar demonstrates the international community’s empathy for the Myanmar people affected by the devastating earthquake.
This empathy emerged amidst criticism of the domestic crisis that has plagued Myanmar since the military junta took power in 2021. ASEAN leaders have issued calls for an end to the violence in Myanmar and pressured the military junta to open dialogue with opposition groups for conflict resolution. However, even after its fourth year, ASEAN’s initiative has failed to bring about change in Myanmar. The special mission established by ASEAN has never met with the conflicting parties in Myanmar.
World leaders have also responded to the political situation in a similar manner to ASEAN. International pressure has failed to bring about change within Myanmar. Violence continues in Myanmar, with the military exerting pressure on opposition leaders and their supporters.
In the context of the humanitarian crisis following the massive earthquake, the opposition leader (the shadowy National Unity Government of Myanmar) announced an initiative for a ceasefire on March 29, 2025, the day after the earthquake. This initiative was launched so that humanitarian aid could be distributed quickly to earthquake victims.
Unfortunately, the opposition group’s good intentions were not met with goodwill from the military junta. International media outlets continued to report that the military junta was continuing to conduct airstrikes on opposition-controlled areas.
The United Nations has declared these attacks “completely outrageous and unacceptable.” UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews stated that the military continued to drop bombs when people were trying to help the earthquake victims.
In this context, ASEAN leaders need to ensure that the military junta is more cooperative in opening access to international humanitarian aid and at the same time reiterate ASEAN’s call for an end to violent methods used to combat the opposition.
Author: YP Hermawan
Cover photo image source: CBS News
Sources:
https://asean.bernama.com/news.php?id=2407750
https://asean.bernama.com/news.php?id=2407513
