Myanmar Earthquake: HNRP Flash Addendum - Issued April 2025

Situation Overview

The devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28 March 2025 caused widespread destruction—reducing homes, hospitals, schools, and vital infrastructure to rubble—in areas where over 17 million people live. More than 9.1 million live in the hardest-hit areas, including Mandalay and Sagaing, where entire communities have been upended, forcing people to seek shelter in makeshift conditions often in the open, disrupting markets, and bringing essential services—including running water, sanitation, and health—to the verge of collapse. Of these, 6.3 million people are estimated to be in urgent need of assistance and protection, an increase of 2 million people due to the earthquake.

The earthquake and hundreds of aftershocks compounded and multiplied the needs of people already facing immense humanitarian needs. Even before the disaster, an estimated 19.9 million people were in need due to ongoing conflict, climatic disasters, displacement, and economic hardship. With affected people’s needs escalating rapidly, the earthquake has pushed those already vulnerable even deeper into crisis—while tipping many others into new and urgent needs. The international community has stepped in and rapidly mobilized support to local responders and communities, working to scale up assistance across affected areas.

This document outlines the Humanitarian Country Teams (HCT) response strategy, with additional estimated financial requirements for humanitarian organizations to assist people impacted by the devastating earthquakes and succeeding aftershocks. This addendum to the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) includes the projected requirements of United Nations (UN) agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The figures provided are indicative and may be revised as further information becomes available on the evolving situation and response required.

Context

The devastating earthquakes that struck Myanmar on 28 March have caused widespread death, human suffering and destruction—aggravating an already alarming humanitarian crisis. Over 6.3 million people are in immediate need of humanitarian assistance and protection as a result of the earthquakes, including 4.3 million people who were already in need across the affected areas and now require even greater support, and an additional 2 million people who require urgent assistance and protection due to the earthquakes.

On 28 March 2025, just before 1 p.m. local time, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar. The epicentre was near Sagaing and Mandalay—two of the country’s most populated areas—and the earthquake hit at a shallow depth, making it even more destructive. People across the country—and even beyond—felt the ground shake. Just minutes later, a second earthquake of 6.7 magnitude ripped through the same regions, with dozens of aftershocks striking in the days that followed. Homes, schools, hospitals and religious sites have collapsed, and entire communities have been torn apart.

The scale of the disaster has been devastating and will be felt for years to come. Military authorities in Myanmar have declared a state of emergency in six regions—Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Nay Pyi Taw and Shan State—and have called for international support to help millions of people affected.

Ten days on, by 6 April, at least 3,400 people had died, over 4500 had been injured, and more than 200 were still missing, according to official figures. The real toll is likely much higher, with communication blackouts and underreporting making it difficult to grasp the full scale of the tragedy.

Many families continue sleeping in the open, too afraid to return home. Over 40,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, according to preliminary data from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance, and ongoing aftershocks continue to shake the affected areas, threatening further destruction across already devastated communities. These tremors are deepening fear in the communities and preventing many from returning to their homes. The aftershocks also complicate response efforts, making it even harder to reach and support those in need.