In the wake of the recent earthquake that devastated Myanmar and rattled parts of Thailand, Asia has rallied in an extraordinary show of solidarity, demonstrating the region’s commitment to mutual support in times of crisis.
The 7.7-magnitude quake was one of the most severe in recent memory. As of this report, the natural disaster has resulted in more than 1,600 fatalities, over 3,400 injuries, and nearly 140 people reported missing, mainly in Myanmar. In Thailand, there have been 18 deaths and 76 people unaccounted for.
Rescue and relief efforts have been hampered by disrupted communication lines and damaged infrastructure. Urban centers are particularly hard hit, as high-rise buildings are especially vulnerable to seismic tremors.
Humanitarian relief pours into Myanmar
ASEAN as a whole has responded by deploying the ASEAN-Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ERAT), the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA), and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance also facilitating regional support. Amidst the tragedy, Asian countries have rallied to Myanmar’s crisis:
- Thailand, despite reeling from its own share of post-quake emergencies, has swiftly mobilized a special humanitarian task force from the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Its 55 members specialize in urban search and rescue, emergency medical aid, and disaster assessments. Their operation — expected to conclude by April 6th, 2025 — is supported by a delegation from the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon led by Defense Attaché Colonel Thanwit Yomchinda.
- Other ASEAN member nations have collectively dispatched 209 relief personnel, including a 50-member humanitarian assistance team from Malaysia, a 79-member military task force from Vietnam, and an 80-member team of the civil defense force from Singapore. They include specialists in medical support, hazardous material management, and search and rescue.
- China has, to date, dispatched 119 rescuers equipped with life detectors, early warning systems, and drones. The Red Cross Society of China has also sent 300 tents, 2,000 blankets, 600 folding beds, and relief kits for 2,000 households. The China International Development Cooperation Agency has pledged RMB100 million (US$13.9 million) in emergency humanitarian aid.
- India — a fellow member of BIMSTEC, which includes both Myanmar and Thailand — has deployed Indian armed forces to set up a field hospital in Mandalay. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar revealed that Indian aircraft and naval ships are ferrying essential supplies to Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon, respectively.
On March 28th, 2025, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) logged a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake near central Myanmar, with Modified Mercalli Intensities (MMI) ranging from 4-6 in Thailand. The quake caused widespread devastation across several regions, including Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Bago, Magway, and parts of Shan and Sagaing states.
Notably, a 30-storey building under construction in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district collapsed. Rescue efforts are ongoing for those trapped in the debris.
The USGS explains that such earthquakes occurred as the result of “strike slip faulting” between the India and Eurasia plates – meaning that these two tectonic plates rubbed sideways against each other.
Paul Rujopakarn 
Teerin Julsawad