Myanmar earthquake 2025: how donations to our appeal are helping people recover

On 28 March 2025, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, its epicentre located 17 kilometres southeast of Mandalay. The Sagaing and Mandalay regions were both significantly impacted. 

On Sunday 30 March, another 5.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded northwest of Mandalay.

The earthquake’s impact was felt across the region, with tremors felt as far afield as China, India, Vietnam and Thailand. In Bangkok, nearly 800 kilometres from the epicentre, high-rise evacuations were carried out after a skyscraper under construction collapsed in the Chatuchak district.

The earthquake affected 1.35 million people in Myanmar, displacing over 206,000 and damaging homes and infrastructure across five regions. 

At the British Red Cross, we immediately made funds from our Disaster Fund available and launched a Myanmar Earthquake Appeal to support the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement’s response. The appeal has now closed, but work is ongoing in the country.

The Myanmar earthquake response overview:

• The Myanmar Red Cross Society reached over 223,000 people in the first six months of its response.
• Teams were involved in search and rescue, shelter, health services and cash assistance.

In the immediate months after the earthquake:

• 1 million litres of safe drinking water were provided.
• 37,714 people received household and relief items.
• 5,972 people received first aid and healthcare support.
• 6,238 families who lost their income received cash assistance. 

Where is Myanmar and where did the earthquake hit?

Myanmar is located in the north-western part of mainland South East Asia. Its capital is Naypidaw. It is bordered by China, Laos, Thailand, Bangladesh and India, with the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal located to its south and south-west.

The earthquake's epicentre was near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city. 

• Learn more about the Red Cross's work in Myanmar
  

How to help people affected by the Myanmar earthquake

The Myanmar Earthquake Appeal has now closed. However, when a disaster like the Myanmar earthquake strikes, our Disaster Fund is there for people who may have lost everything. From floods and fire to hurricanes and conflict, disasters around the world devastate lives every day.

In an emergency, every second counts. The Disaster Fund allows the British Red Cross to respond as quickly as possible. Before the Myanmar Earthquake Appeal was launched, we released funds from our Disaster Fund straight away after the earthquake, ensuring money could get to where it needed to be as soon as possible.

From conflict in Sudan to a hurricane in Jamaica, donations to the Disaster Fund ensure the Red Cross is ready to respond whenever disaster strikes.

Myanmar humanitarian crisis: a worsening situation

Myanmar was already facing severe humanitarian challenges after devastating floods swept through half the country six months ago. The ongoing political crisis and widespread civil unrest, which escalated in 2021, have only made the situation worse. Even before the earthquake, 2.7 million people were internally displaced, and nearly half of all households were struggling with food insecurity. 

The earthquake deepened the crisis further, making food and clean water shortages worse. Communities battle food insecurity, the rising threat of waterborne diseases, and the struggle to rebuild their livelihoods. 

Since the earthquake, Myanmar Red Cross Society volunteers have reported that large numbers of people have been sleeping in open spaces, unable to find emergency shelter. 

A decade of support from the British Red Cross

The British Red Cross has supported the Myanmar Red Cross community resilience programme in Rakhine state, for the past ten year. With your help, we can continue our work in the country to help families and communities.  

• Learn more about our work in Myanmar