YANGON, Myanmar — One year after a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, the National Unity Government (NUG) says it has distributed over 6,000 million Kyat (approx. $1.8 million USD) in relief funds to survivors, highlighting a humanitarian response largely driven by grassroots donations rather than international agencies.
In a statement marking the anniversary of the 2025 Sagaing earthquake on March 28, the NUG—Myanmar’s shadow government formed by ousted lawmakers—detailed a year of recovery efforts carried out under its “People-to-People” program.
The earthquake, which remains the most powerful to hit the region in recent history, claimed the lives of 4,200 people and left a trail of destruction across Sagaing, Mandalay, and Shan State. According to the NUG, it has provided direct financial assistance to 20,344 households across 46 townships, connecting domestic and international donors with those on the frontlines of the disaster.
“We focused on repairing homes, bridges, and hospitals while also providing psychological support to those traumatized by both the natural disaster and the ongoing conflict,” the NUG statement said. To facilitate the aid, the shadow government had declared a temporary “humanitarian ceasefire” shortly after the quake.
The NUG’s report draws a sharp contrast between its community-led efforts and the actions of the military junta. The shadow government accused the military of blocking international search and rescue teams and weaponizing aid by excluding populations in resistance-held territories.
“Even during the emergency relief phase, the military continued its inhumane airstrikes, forcing disaster victims to face a double catastrophe of bombs and tremors,” the statement added.
In Mandalay, residents who participated in the relief efforts echoed these frustrations. “In the city, we survived primarily through UN assistance and mutual help among citizens,” a volunteer told MPA. “But for people in the resistance territories hit by the quake, UN agencies could do almost nothing. The UN cannot enter any area without the military’s permission, and the military does not permit aid to those it considers enemies.”
The scale of the 2025 disaster was immense. Official figures cited by the NUG include:
- Casualties: 4,200 dead, 3,681 injured, and 351 missing.
- Infrastructure Damage: Approximately 3,400 homes, 3,930 religious buildings, and 6,501 critical infrastructure sites, including schools and hospitals, were destroyed.
Despite the heavy toll, the NUG praised the “resilience and unity” of the Myanmar people, stating that their spirit of solidarity has become a symbol of defiance against the multiple crises gripping the nation.
While the military continues to struggle for ground control, the NUG says it remains committed to working with ethnic revolutionary organizations (EROs) and local civil society to ensure that aid reaches the most isolated and embattled communities in the Sagaing heartland.
