Responding to the Earthquake in Myanmar

On March 28, central Myanmar was struck by a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake, followed almost immediately by powerful aftershocks. International Medical Corps is responding.

More than 3,700 people have been confirmed dead, a number expected to rise as search efforts continue. Many thousands have been injured, and vital infrastructure—including health facilities—have been damaged or destroyed.

We responded directly to this crisis, working closely with international and local authorities. Despite significant challenges, our initial response team arrived within days of the quake to assess conditions and coordinate relief efforts with local partners. After receiving official requests, we deployed a mobile Emergency Medical Team—and we continue to work with partners in the country—to provide medical and mental health care to people in need.

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The 7.7-magnitude quake struck near the city of Mandalay, Myanmar, at 12:50 p.m. local time on March 28, and was followed by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock 12 minutes later.

The quakes had significant effects beyond the borders of Myanmar, causing buildings to collapse in Bangkok, Thailand, more than 600 miles away.

Healthcare facilities have been overwhelmed by demand, even as many facilities have been damaged or destroyed.

International Medical Corps has a history of responding in Myanmar, including to flooding in 2014 and 2015, and to Cyclone Nargis in 2008.

Our Response to the Earthquake in Myanmar

International Medical Corps responded directly to this crisis, working closely with regional authorities, the World Health Organization and other partners to coordinate relief efforts. Our response team quickly deployed to meet with partners and assess needs, and after receiving an official request we deployed a mobile Emergency Medical Team (EMT) to the area from April 21 to May 18 provided medical and mental health care to more than 100 people every day affected by the disaster.

In addition to the medical and logistical experts on our initial response team, our specialized EMT included doctors and nurses, with their efforts supplemented by local clinicians. They operated from an EMT Type 1 Mobile unit based next to a destroyed hospital in Pobba Thiri, near the capital city of Nay Pyi Taw. Of course, our international team focused on long-term needs by training and building the capacity of local partners while providing emergency and trauma care services to people in need. As the only NGO classified by the WHO as a Type 1 EMT, both Fixed and Mobile, we are uniquely positioned to help in situations like this.

We continue to support the long-term needs of the earthquake-affected communities by assisting local partners, providing essential medicines, medical equipment, supplies and non-food items, among other things. Thanks to this support, they are continuing to operate mobile medical units providing people in need with direct health and mental health consultations, antenatal and postnatal care, infectious disease monitoring and treatment, and awareness-raising sessions on critical health topics. They also are offering water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support, including water trucking, hygiene kits and training, and sanitation services.

Before the earthquake, Myanmar was experiencing a humanitarian crisis due to years of conflict. The country currently has the fifth-highest number of people in need of humanitarian assistance globally, with approximately 20 million people—one-third of the population—in need, and some 15 million people projected to face acute food insecurity during 2025. The earthquake further exacerbated this crisis, leaving millions without access to essential health, protection, nutrition and WASH services. Sagaing City, near the epicenter of the quake, is home to 1.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs)—one-third of all IDPs in Myanmar.

Infrastructure was damaged or destroyed throughout the region—including healthcare facilities, which were overwhelmed with demand from people injured in the quake. Multiple hospitals were evacuated due to damage and risk of collapse, leading to a shortage of beds for the injured.

There also was a shortage of medical personnel to manage the surge of casualties and ongoing health concerns. People were forced to camp out in the open, afraid to return to their homes. More than half of latrines and other sanitation facilities in the region were destroyed, water systems were damaged, and extreme heat and heavy rains raised the risk of cholera, malaria, dengue, skin diseases and other waterborne illnesses. Extensive damage to critical infrastructure—including airports, roads and communications systems—hindered humanitarian efforts, as did shortages of medical supplies, but our teams were able to directly treat more than 1,460 patients, while our partners have treated thousands more.