Evacuating Myanmar's Earthquake Victims: Challenges Under Military Junta Rule

March 31, 2025 | 01:32 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Myanmar earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.7 on the Richter scale and followed by aftershocks, has claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people and caused severe damage to infrastructure, especially in Mandalay, the country's second largest city.

The earthquake has further compounded the situation, with many crucial infrastructures such as airports, bridges, and roads damaged, hindering aid distribution and the evacuation of victims.

The weak infrastructure due to prolonged conflict and neglect during the four years of military rule worsened the earthquake's impact. So far, the post-disaster community and rescue teams have had to conduct the evacuation process themselves due to the lack of state assistance with heavy equipment.

As a result, residents have had to dig through the rubble with their bare hands. Htet Min Oo, one of the survivors, stated that some of his family members are still trapped under the debris. He had to personally conduct the rescue of his two uncles and grandmother by digging through the rubble with makeshift tools and his own hands.

This has led to an outpouring of humanitarian aid that is ready to be sent. Not to mention that the Military Junta currently in power in the country is calling for assistance.

However, human rights community organizations are still concerned and are considering the aid that will be sent. The aid from foreign countries or international communities is suspected to be unable to assist due to the political conditions post the 2021 coup.

The ruling military junta has tightened state security, making it increasingly difficult for outsiders to enter. History records that military regimes often obstruct or postpone aid distribution, especially in the opposition's areas.

For example, in 2023, after Typhoon Mocha hit, the military junta hindered access to affected areas for humanitarian aid communities, leaving millions of Myanmar residents struggling without adequate assistance.

There has been some aid mobilization, such as the United States, which has begun the deployment of USAID through its disaster relief team. This team will provide basic needs, such as food, water, and temporary residence posts. However, this will not provide immediate relief, as President Donald Trump has decided to take the lead in defunding USAID. The closure of USAID and the dismissal of thousands of employees raise concerns about the ability of the US to respond to global crises, including the current earthquake in Asia.

The international community continues to hope for pressure on Myanmar's military junta to ensure that humanitarian aid is distributed fairly and to the right targets. In addition, some international news reports have begun opening the door for donations to assist the victims of this devastating earthquake, regardless of the position of the military junta, which may complicate the rescue efforts.

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