Myanmar earthquake exposes aid vacuum left by USAID and how you can help
- Emily Ray
- Apr 22
- 2 min read
On March 28, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar and parts of Thailand and southeast Asia. At least 3,550 people have died and nearly 5,000 were injured when the earthquake hit, with Myanmar already reeling from years of civil war since a military coup in 2021, leaving nearly 20 million people in need of aid.
The humanitarian emergency is one of the first since US President Donald Trump and his devastating cuts to USAID with multiple countries stepping up to fill the gap, including China, Russia and India – which have sent aid, rescue teams and mobile medical units to Myanmar. USAID used to administer most of America’s foreign aid – 61% of the $71 billion total budget in 2023. But since taking office, the Trump administration has laid off thousands of employees and cut 83% of USAID programs – including staff and programs working in Myanmar.
Tearfund in Australia has been working with partner organisations on the ground to provide support. You can donate to help and hear from Tearfund's Effectiveness and Humanitarian Team Leader Phil Lindsay via the organisation’s emergency appeal website.
Tearfund and its partner organisations in Myanmar have identified the most urgent need after the earthquake and are working to provide:
• Emergency food and safe drinking water,
• Temporary shelters and supplies including mosquito nets,
• Basic medical assistance including hygiene and dignity kits for women, and
• Vital services through health clinics and health workers.
If you can contribute to help those in Myanmar with life-saving support, please donate via your Community Impact Foundation giving fund or directly via the Myanmar Earthquake Emergency Appeal.
