CNI News

9 April 2025

Singapore opened a temporary hospital at Bahutu Stadium in Chanayethazan Township, Mandalay Region, on April 7 to provide healthcare to earthquake-affected Myanmar citizens, the Ministry of Health announced.

"The Singapore Emergency Medical Team, operating like a field hospital, is located at the Bahtoo Stadium in Mandalay and it takes five minutes to get to Bahtoo Stadium on foot from the Mandalay General Hospital. Patients can receive medical treatment free of charge there everyday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m from 7th to 13th April." reported the Singaporean Embassy.

A powerful earthquake and subsequent aftershocks struck Myanmar on March 28 centering in Sagaing, near Mandalay.

The earthquake killed 3,600 people and injured 5,017, said Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the SAC, on April 7, 2025.

Currently, temporary hospitals from countries such as Singapore, India, Russia, Japan, and China have been opened in Mandalay to provide healthcare to earthquake victims.

CNI News

8 April 2025

U Htet Aung Kyaw, vice chairman of the National Democratic Force Party (NDF), told CNI News that the BIMSTEC meeting will help in the rehabilitation efforts for the earthquake-affected people in Myanmar. 

The sixth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) was held in Bangkok, Thailand on April 4, 2025.

U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News that the countries that attended the meeting are also providing significant assistance to the earthquake-affected areas of Myanmar, which will be supportive to the reconstruction efforts.

" This time, the earthquake caused damage and loss to many people. Therefore, no matter whoever is ruling the country, all humane people will help the people of Myanmar affected by this earthquake. Because the BIMSTEC summit was held shortly after the earthquake, when the SAC chairman and Prime Minister attended the summit, everyone at the meeting were mainly talking about this earthquake. All of them seemed to help us. Five members of the BIMSTEC are helping obviously even now. The meeting is very supportive. To the best of my knowledge, the US will help Myanmar earthquake victims a lot. Many countries in the world do not ignore our Myanmar  people. I'm glad to see many countries are helping us." he said.

While seeing the BIMSTEC meeting held on April 4, 2025

The meeting, hosted by Thailand, was attended by leaders from India, Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. 

The SAC chairman Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing from Myanmar attended the meeting. The SAC had a connection with neighboring countries through the BIMSTEC meeting. 

BIMSTEC members could certainly provide humanitarian assistance, and are already providing it, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), U Myo Kyaw told CNI News.

" Anyway, SAC has had some contact with neighboring countries, including diplomatic matters. After the coup in our country, the country's civil war becomes deepened. All citizens are suffering from the civil war. There has been a large increase in the number of IDPs. The earthquake that struck major cities like Sagaing, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw on March 28 was the worst in this century. International community may help us. And the BIMSTEC will certainly help us. They are helping us now." he said.

While Indian Prime Minister Modi was meeting with the SAC Chairman

SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Bangkok, Thailand on 3 April 2025 to attend the BIMSTEC meeting and held a private meeting with the Prime Minister of Nepal. In addition, the SAC Chairman held separate meetings with Indian Prime Minister Modi and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn on April 4. 

Indian Prime Minister Modi said during his meeting with the SAC Chairman that India will continue to provide necessary assistance to Myanmar, while Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn said that he will continue to provide assistance to the people of Myanmar affected by the earthquake.

The BIMSTEC includes Thailand, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, and holds meetings with the aim of promoting economic cooperation among its member countries.

CNI News

8 April 2025

The Mandalay earthquake that struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, killed 3,600 people and injured 5,017, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the State Administration Council on April 7, 2025. 

The Information Team then announced that there were 160 missing persons, and that the list was up to April 7, 2025.

"Regarding aid and rescue efforts, 94 aircraft, 6 vehicles, and 5 ships from 20 countries have arrived in Myanmar to help. A total of 1,738 rescue workers from foreign countries are currently conducting rescue and relief operations. Over 1,281 tons of supplies and 884 tons of relief supplies have arrived. Myanmar firefighters and volunteers, working with international rescue teams, rescued 338 men and 315 women alive, and retrieved the dead bodies of 340 men and 360 women from the rubble." said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

Currently, Mandalay earthquake relief efforts are being carried out by countries such as the United States, Russia, China/Hong Kong, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, UAE, Thailand, Belarus, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Laos, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, and Turkey.

The SAC has issued a statement calling the earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28 the Mandalay Earthquake.

CNI News

8 April 2025

Mr. Tom Fletcher, the head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), said that international pledges of US$93 million have been received so far to help the people of Myanmar affected by the earthquake. 

Mr. Tom Fletcher is also the United Nations Humanitarian and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

The delegation he led met with Foreign Minister U Than Swe in Naypyidaw on April 6, 2025 and discussed relief efforts for the earthquake-stricken people.

During the meeting, Mr. Tom Fletcher said that 93 million US dollars have been pledged so far from the international community to help the earthquake victims, and 5 million US dollars will be used from the United Nations Emergency Fund.

While seeing those helping and rescuing people affected by the Myanmar earthquake

He said that UN staff will be sent to Myanmar to implement aid operations using the funds.

The United States has pledged $9 million in aid for Myanmar's earthquake victims, while the Quad, which includes the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, has pledged $20 million.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks struck Myanmar on March 28, centered in Sagaing, near Mandalay. 

The earthquake killed more than 3,000 people, injured more than 4,000, and left around 400 missing.

Similarly, roads, bridges, homes, hotels, and religious buildings were destroyed. Currently, a state of emergency has been declared in Sagaing Region, Bago Region, Magway Region, Mandalay Region, Naypyidaw Council Area, and Shan State, and humanitarian assistance is needed.

CNI News

7 April 2025

The chairman of the State Administration Council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, visited an Indian temporary hospital providing healthcare to earthquake-affected people in Myanmar, the Indian Embassy in Myanmar announced.

India has built a temporary hospital in Mandalay to provide healthcare to people affected by the March 28 earthquake, and is also providing relief to those trapped. In addition, India is providing food, tents, medicines, blankets, personal hygiene items and other necessary supplies.

The temporary hospital opened by India has treated 800 people as of April 6, and Myanmar citizens have also recognized India's temporary hospital.

"Senior General Min Aung Hlaing visited the temporary hospital today (April 6). Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft on Sunday delivered replenishment supplies for the field hospital and food aid for needy communities and carried our NDRF team back after a successful Mission." reported the Indian Embassy.

India was the first country to send relief teams and provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar affected by the earthquake.

CNI News

7 April 2025

In Myanmar, the policies regarding natural disasters existed only on paper and implementation of them was weak, Dr. Nyo Nyo Thin, founder of the Yangon Watch, told CNI News.

Lots of discussions on natural disasters were held under former two governments and ministers concerned answered that they had taken actions. 

However, there were no implementations in practice, she pointed out.

" A lot of discussions on natural disasters were conducted at the two Hluttaws. Ministers concerned replied that they had taken action. There were policies, but they were weak in putting into practice. It's been nearly 20 years since Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar. If policies on paper had been put into practice, we would have been ready to tackle a natural disaster at this time. Because it was weak in implementations, there was a shortage of skilled workers. The Myanmar people are kind and helpful when natural disasters strike. But they don't consistently demand or pressure for the long term." said Dr. Nyo Nyo Thin.

Under the NLD government, at the 15th regular session of the Amyotha Hluttaw, a member of the Hluttaw asked the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement how it had prepared to minimize damage and loss if an earthquake struck. 

While seeing the victims of the earthquake

Deputy Minister U Soe Aung answered that a total of 13,627 search and rescue personnel have been trained in search and rescue techniques.

In addition, devices that detect human heartbeats and body temperature reportedly were on standby to help search and rescue trapped people.

However, the public has pointed out that there were no search and rescue operations using these equipment amid the devastation following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28. 

Myanmar needs to invite outside experts to discuss natural disasters, including earthquakes, like economic and political issues, banking expert U Htay Aung Kyi told CNI News.

"It is not enough to just discuss natural disasters in the Hluttaw. It needs to be discussed like the discussion on economic and political sectors. But, later they said they would continue to hold discussions with experts, experienced people, and people with good ideas. It's not enough to just discuss in the Hluttaw. But to be honest, the knowledge of a member of the Hluttaw is limited. He might be good at the two carriers at most. That I want to mean just discussion on natural disasters in Hluttaw is not enough. We must think about how a system regarding natural disasters will be built." he said.

Currently, after the major earthquake, small earthquakes are also striking continuously, causing concern among the local population. 

In addition, there are difficulties in carrying out relief and relief work because charitable organizations have to operate with inadequate equipment.

Due to lack of preparation for the earthquake, rescue teams only arrived in the days following the quake, resulting in over 3,000 deaths and over 4,000 injuries.

CNI News
6 April 2025

Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) opened its Mobile Clinic providing healthcare to the west of the Mandalay Moat on April 3, reported the MRCS.

Moreover, the MRCS reported that it had provided healthcare to about 130 people and was planning to open mobile clinics in other places.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks struck centering in Sagaing, near Mandalay, killing more than 3,000 people and injuring more than 4,000 in Sagaing, Bago, Magway Regions, Nay Pyi Taw Council area and Shan State, according to the figures as of 8 a.m. on April 3.

In addition, roads, bridges, homes, hotels, religious buildings, and cars were destroyed. Therefore, international relief teams from Thailand, India, China, Laos, Vietnam, Russia, Bangladesh, UAE, Singapore, Japan, Bhutan, and Hong Kong have arrived and are participating in relief efforts to help the earthquake-affected people.

In the same way, Russia, India, China, and Japan have opened temporary hospitals in the Mandalay Region and are providing healthcare.

CNI News
6 April 2025

The budget for emergency relief was insufficient because a lot of the budget is spent on military conflicts, chairman of the People's Party (PP) U Ko Ko Gyi told CNI News.

In addition, there are general deteriorations in the country, as well as corruption and weak personnel mechanisms, which have created weaknesses when it comes to implementing relief measures, he said.

"Many of our country's resources have been destroyed. Starting from the COVID pandemic, there have been political and military conflicts, floods, and now an earthquake. Again, the CDM issue has also weakened the education, health, and administrative sectors. So, it is true that there are weaknesses when it comes to emergency relief measures. Moreover, since a lot of the budget are spent on military conflicts, there are weaknesses when it comes to spending on emergencies." he said.

A donation event was held to help the people affected by the massive earthquake that struck Myanmar, raising a total of 116.84 billion kyats.

While U Zaw Zaw was donating money for earthquake relief

SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said that up to 500 billion kyats will be used to carry out rehabilitation work in areas damaged by the earthquake.

Elections needed to be held early through which a parliament would emerge. If the people are aware of the country's budget flow, it could lead to a positive change, vice chairman of the National Democratic Force Party (NDF) U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News.

“During the governments led by President U Thein Sein and Aung San Suu Kyi, the budgets were passed through Hluttaws, so the public knew how the budgets were spent. Now, the public doesn’t know where and how much the budget is spent. Now the Budget Committee only is making decisions how the budget will be divided. Under former governments,100 billion kyats had always been set aside as the President's emergency fund. Now we don't know whether there is still the emergency fund or not. So, elections need to be held as soon as possible. So, Hluttaws will emerge after elections. If Hluttaws emerge, the people will know the division of budget. This can lead to a positive change. So, we are always talking about holding elections." he said.

A very strong earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale and subsequent aftershocks struck Myanmar on March 28. The earthquake killed 3,085 people, injured 4,715, and left 341 missing in Sagaing, Mandalay Regions, and Naypyidaw Council area, according to the latest list released by the SAC as of 8 a.m. on April 3.

CNI News

5 April 2025

Myanmar should focus on making its relief teams international-standard based on the recent earthquake disaster in Myanmar, which is prone to natural disasters, civil society organizations told CNI.

When a natural disaster occurs, charitable organizations and youth are the first to arrive and provide relief and assistance to the extent they can, rather than government organizations, which has been effective in some areas.

16 years after Nargis, heavy rains cause floods and landslides. One year after that, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck.

Therefore, it is very important to develop international-standard relief and rescue teams in preparation for natural disasters, founder of the Yangon Watch, Dr. Nyo Nyo Thin told CNI News.

" It is very important to produce humanitarian aid workers of international standard. Myanmar youth go to the ground and help when there is an emergency. To tell you frankly, they are faster than government organizations to help and more effective in some areas. Philanthropic organizations reach natural disaster-hit areas almost at once. But they are badly in need of internationally qualified equipment and skills. In comparison with China, their relief teams have been by far more skillful than ours. Myanmar philanthropic organizations should be sent to China to train from now on. The government should meet the needs of international relief teams as soon as possible. If there are any delays, further worrisome developments may occur." she said.

Regarding natural disaster relief, in comparison with its neighboring countries, Myanmar has left behind a lot.

So, things that shouldn't happen are happening; she has been telling the Chinese Embassy to provide training, equipment and technology needed for relief efforts by charitable organizations in Myanmar, said Dr. Nyo Nyo Thin.

Because a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, rescue operations are still underway for local residents trapped under the rubble.

Since Myanmar lacks the necessary equipment and technology, systematic relief efforts can only be carried out when foreign aid teams arrive.

Since floods and earthquakes are different, experts should be invited to provide training courses not only on the use of technology but also on rescue operations, a banking expert U Htay Aung Kyi told CNI.

" Obviously, we don't have technology regarding earthquakes. We don't have the rescue technology for earthquakes. Systems and ways of thinking are flawed from the beginning. They (international rescue teams) have lots of heavy machines and money. But they arrived in the earthquake-hit areas on March 30 although the earthquake struck on March 28. Why were they so delayed? Flood and earthquake disasters are different. To the best of my knowledge, Myanmar relief teams were trained just a little." he said.

According to the information released by the SAC as of 8 a.m. on April 3, the number of deaths due to the earthquake was 3,085, that of injured was 4,715, and that of missing was 341.