Myanmar earthquake: can Asean step up to fill US aid vacuum?

The US aid retreat opens ways for China and India to use their humanitarian assistance to build influence

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The Chinese government’s second batch of emergency supplies arrives at Yangon International Airport on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 8:00am, 7 Apr 2025Updated: 8:12am, 7 Apr 2025

Myanmar’s deadly earthquake has exposed the vacuum left by the United States’ retreat from foreign aid, prompting calls for Asean to assert leadership before major powers like China shape the humanitarian response to their advantage.

More than 3,000 people were killed by the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, flattening buildings and overwhelming local responders.

In a rare move, Myanmar’s military-led junta government, known as the State Administration Council, appealed for international help. Countries including China, India and Russia responded swiftly, deploying search-and-rescue teams and medical support.

China’s response was the most robust, with more than 600 personnel across 30 teams sent to Myanmar and over 100 million yuan (US$13.7 million) pledged in aid.

“We hope and believe that the government and people of Myanmar will overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes at an early date,” China’s foreign ministry said in a statement. China was closely following the situation in its friendly neighbour after the earthquake and extended its sincere sympathies to Myanmar, the ministry added.

People queue for food and relief supplies in Amarapura, Myanmar, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

By contrast, the United States has offered US$2 million to aid the earthquake relief efforts – an amount that observers have described as modest.