Attachments
SITUATION ANALYSIS
Description of the crisis
On 28 March 2025, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, with the epicenter located near Sagaing and Mandalay. Twelve minutes later, a strong 6.7-magnitude aftershock followed, exacerbating the destruction caused by the main quake. The tremors resulted in widespread devastation across five regions: Sagaing, Mandalay, Southern Shan, Naypyidaw, and Bago. These areas were already facing complex humanitarian needs with an estimated 17.2 million people residing within the affected zones. As of 22 April 2025, the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) has reported 3,757 deaths, 5,107 injuries, and 116 people missing. Approximately 206,977 people remain displaced, including 41,733 individuals sheltering in 135 temporary sites.
The earthquake caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, and water systems. In total, over 120,000 houses, 5,488 office buildings, 640 health facilities, 431 schools, 77 bridges, 38 railways and 405 roads have been reported damaged(1) .
One month on, physical access to the most affected areas has improved with the Yangon to Mandalay corridor functional and operational for heavy vehicles. However, between Mandalay and Sagaing, damaged bridges have limited passage and can only support vehicles under 16 feet in length, necessitating the splitting of loads for humanitarian cargo. Routes between Mandalay and Naypyidaw remain accessible via the highway and standard roads. Traffic congestion persists along key corridors where alternative routes are limited, requiring careful travel planning to ensure the timely delivery of relief supplies and personnel.
Telecommunications and mobile coverage have largely returned to normal. Electricity supply is stable in most locations with many communities supplementing power through solar panels and streetlights functioning in urban areas. In Sagaing, ongoing power disruptions continue to affect the municipal water system which relies on electricity to draw water from the river thereby resulting in water shortages. In Naypyidaw, public utilities have largely resumed normal operation.
Central Myanmar continues to experience frequent seismic activity. The earthquake sequence remains active. Overview of impact on housing and MRCS earthquake response. (Source: IFRC) 3 month after the mainshock, with an average of three to five aftershocks recorded per day during the first two weeks. According to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, at least 159 aftershocks had been recorded as of 29 April, with the vast majority concentrated between 20-27 April, particularly in Amarapura, Madaya and surrounding areas. This includes significant tremors measuring 5.9 and 5.6 magnitude near Naypyidaw and Wundwin Township on 29 March and 13 April respectively, as well as additional aftershocks exceeding magnitude 5.0 on 16, 22, and 26 April in Sagaing and Mandalay. This prolonged seismic activity has heightened community safety concerns and posed additional risks to damaged structures which are contributing to further building collapses and continued displacement. As a result, many households continue to shelter outdoors or in open areas.
(1) Rapid Needs Assessment as of 13 April 2025