WHO says Myanmar quake a top-level emergency, seeks urgent funding

WHO says Myanmar quake a top-level emergency, seeks urgent funding
by AFP Staff Writers
Geneva (AFP) Mar 30, 2025

The World Health Organization said Sunday the Myanmar earthquake was a top-level emergency as it urgently sought $8 million to save lives and prevent disease outbreaks over the next 30 days.

The WHO said the high numbers of casualties and trauma injuries were at high risk of infection due to limited surgical capacity in the country, while the underlying conditions in Myanmar meant the quake was likely to intensify the risk of disease.

"WHO has classified this crisis as a Grade 3 emergency -- the highest level of activation under its Emergency Response Framework," the United Nations health agency said in its flash appeal for funds.

The initial 7.7-magnitude quake struck near the central Myanmar city of Mandalay on Friday, followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock. The quake has killed more than 1,700 people in Myanmar and at least 18 in neighbouring Thailand.

In Myanmar, "preliminary assessments indicate high numbers of casualties and trauma-related injuries, with urgent needs for emergency care. Electricity and water supplies remain disrupted, worsening access to health services and heightening risks of waterborne and food-borne disease outbreaks," the WHO said.

"Trauma-related injuries -- including fractures, open wounds, and crush syndrome -- are at high risk of infection and complications due to limited surgical capacity and inadequate infection prevention and control."

- $8 million appeal -

The WHO said it needed $8 million to respond to the immediate health needs over the next 30 days, "to save lives, prevent disease, and stabilise and restore essential health services".

"Without immediate funding, lives will be lost and fragile health systems will falter."

The WHO said hospitals were overwhelmed, while the scale of deaths, injuries and damage to health facilities "are not yet fully understood".

The agency said displacement into overcrowded shelters, combined with the destruction of water systems and sanitation infrastructure, had sharply increased the risk of communicable disease outbreaks.

"This earthquake strikes amid an already dire humanitarian context marked by widespread displacement, fragile health systems, and disease outbreaks -- including cholera," it said.

"Immediate health needs include trauma and surgical care, blood transfusion supplies, anaesthetics, and essential medicines.

"Disease surveillance must be urgently strengthened to prevent outbreaks of cholera, dengue, and other communicable diseases."

The WHO said the first supplies of trauma kits to treat severe wounds and fractures, and multi-purpose tents, to also create space for the increasing number of injured, had reached a 1,000-bed hospital in the capital Naypyidaw, having been sent from an emergency stockpile in Yangon.

Similar supplies are en route further north to Mandalay General Hospital.

Besides emergency interventions, the WHO said the continuity of essential services such as immunisation, and maternal and child health, was also critical over the coming 30 days.

Global aid effort begins for Myanmar quake relief
Bangkok (AFP) Mar 30, 2025 - A powerful earthquake has killed more than 1,700 people in war-torn Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand and caused widespread damage.

Here is what we know about relief efforts:

- China -

China sent an 82-person team of rescuers to Myanmar on Saturday, Beijing said. On Sunday, state-run Xinhua news agency said a 118-member search and rescue team had also arrived.

A separate rescue team arrived in Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon on Saturday, state media said.

The Chinese government will also provide Myanmar with 100 million yuan ($13.8 million) in emergency humanitarian assistance, with shipments to begin Monday, its international aid agency said Saturday.

- Hong Kong -

A 51-person team from Hong Kong has arrived in Myanmar, the financial hub's government said Sunday. The city also sent two search and rescue dogs and equipment, including life detectors.

The city has earmarked HK$30 million ($3.8 million) for emergency relief support to Myanmar, it said in a statement.

- India -

An Indian aid flight landed in Myanmar on Saturday, with more on the way.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said a military transport plane had been dispatched carrying hygiene kits, blankets and food parcels.

"A search and rescue team and medical team is also accompanying this flight," he added.

Four more aircraft were being sent with personnel and equipment, as well as two navy ships, officials said.

- WHO -

The World Health Organization has mobilised its logistics hub in Dubai to prepare trauma injury supplies and triggered its emergency management response.

On Sunday it said the quake was a top-level crisis and announced it was urgently seeking $8 million to save lives and prevent disease outbreaks over the next 30 days.

- Red Cross -

The local Myanmar Red Cross Society has mobilised trained volunteers to provide help, launching search and rescue efforts, administering first aid, distributing emergency relief items and deploying mobile health teams.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched an emergency appeal Sunday for more than $100 million to help 100,000 people with life-saving relief.

- United Nations -

The UN humanitarian agency OCHA is mobilising emergency response efforts, alongside its partner organisations.

"A severe shortage of medical supplies is hampering response efforts, including trauma kits, blood bags, anaesthetics, assistive devices, essential medicines, and tents for health workers," OCHA said in a statement Saturday.

- United States -

US President Donald Trump on Friday vowed Washington would assist Myanmar, describing the quake as "terrible".

"It's a real bad one, and we will be helping. We've already spoken with the country," Trump told reporters.

- EU -

The European Union said it was providing 2.5 million euros ($2.7 million) in initial emergency aid and assessing the needs on the ground in order to mobilise further assistance.

- Britain -

Britain pledged GBP 10 million ($12.9 million) in humanitarian aid, with development minister Jennifer Chapman saying UK-funded local partners were already mobilising on the ground.

- Ireland -

Ireland announced it would contribute an initial six million euros in aid, with half going to Red Cross organisations and the other half to UN agencies.

- Malaysia -

Malaysia's foreign ministry said it would send a team to Myanmar consisting of one commander and 49 rescue personnel "to support ongoing humanitarian and disaster relief operations".

- Indonesia -

Indonesia said Sunday it will send a search and rescue team, medical team and logistical aid to Myanmar starting Monday.

The Indonesian military will send a hospital ship, three Hercules aircraft and four helicopters to assist emergency response, local media reported military spokesman Kristomei Sianturi as saying.

- Philippines -

The Philippines said Saturday it is sending a team of 114 people, including medics, firefighters and members of the armed forces. The team's tentative deployment date is Tuesday.

- Vietnam -

Vietnam said Sunday it would send 80 rescuers to help search and recovery efforts.

The Public Security Ministry said it will send a team of police officers and medics, a ministry-run newspaper reported. All were to be deployed on Sunday.

- South Korea -

South Korea said it would send $2 million in humanitarian assistance "to support urgent rescue and relief efforts" after the earthquake.

- New Zealand -

New Zealand said it would give NZ$2.0 million ($1.1 million) to the International Red Cross for the emergency response.