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The Salvation Army is preparing to respond to the humanitarian crisis that has followed a devastating earthquake in the Sagaing and Mandalay regions, central Myanmar, on Friday, March 28, 2025. Just 12 minutes after the first earthquake hit, an aftershock with a magnitude of 6.4 was recorded 18 kilometres south of Sagaing.

It was the largest earthquake in the country for more than 100 years. At least 2,000 people have died, 300 are missing and more than 3,400 people sustained injuries. The death toll is expected to rise, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes in Myanmar’s modern history. The country has declared a week of mourning beginning Monday, March 31.

Damaged Infrastructure

Thousands are displaced without food, water or medicine due to the collapse of hundreds of buildings. Millions of people are without power and in some places telephone lines are still down.

A Salvation Army officer (minister) in Myanmar reports: "The damage is severe, and it has made rescue operations very difficult. Important structures like the 90-year-old Irrawaddy River bridge and highways, including the Mandalay–Yangon route, have been badly damaged. Naypyidaw General Hospital was also destroyed, making it even harder to care for injured victims.

"Mandalay Airport is now closed for six months because of the earthquake’s impact, and the main highway to Mandalay is unusable, forcing people to take an older road instead. This situation has slowed rescue and relief efforts, and many people are suffering without basic necessities such as food, clean water and shelter."

The Salvation Army in Myanmar

Logistics have made a response difficult, but a Salvation Army relief team will be travelling to affected areas on Tuesday, April 1.

The Salvation Army has been present in Myanmar since 1915, headquartered in Yangon. Some Salvation Army buildings have been impacted by the tremors.

The corps (church) in Yeni, 300 kilometres south of Mandalay, which is on the same fault line, has been damaged, and Captain Saw Samuel and his family have had to leave their home. The Salvation Army children’s home in Phyu has also been affected. Lieutenant Khin Cherry Soe reports that all children and staff are safe, but there are concerns about the structural safety of the building.

More information will be provided as The Salvation Army’s response continues.

Report by IHQ Communications