A powerful earthquake has struck central Myanmar leaving over 2,000 people dead and thousands without homes and in urgent need of food, water and shelter.
Registering a magnitude of 7.7, the epicentre was located approximately 17 km from Mandalay, the nation's second-largest city, home to about 1.5 million people.
The tremor has caused significant structural damage in Mandalay, including the collapse of monasteries, mosques, hospitals and other buildings with debris scattered across streets.
Our local partners are coordinating a rapid emergency response to reach those most affected as quickly as possible.
In a country already facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced by conflict and instability, the scale of this tragedy is unprecedented.
We urgently need your support to provide emergency food, shelter, and medical care as soon as possible.
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What is happening in Myanmar and Thailand?
Myanmar's State Administration Council has declared a state of emergency across six of the worst-affected areas by the earthquake: Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, northeastern Shan State, Naypyidaw, and Bago.
About 3,140,758 people are estimated to be living within 50 km of the epicentre with approximately 1.3 million people exposed to severe shaking, and around 560,000 individuals residing within 20 km of the epicentre
The earthquake was also felt across the region, including in Bangkok— nearly 900 km away — where widespread panic led to evacuations from high-rise buildings.
The earthquake further compounds Myanmar’s deepening humanitarian crisis.
The country continues to grapple with armed conflict, food insecurity, recurrent monsoon flooding, and record-high displacement.
Myanmar has the fifth highest number of people in need of humanitarian assistance globally – 20 million, or about a third of the country.
How ActionAid's partners are planning to respond in Myanmar
Working with our partners in the most affected areas, we are assessing the damage and will be working with communities who have been most acutely impacted.
ActionAid’s partners in Myanmar have identified Mandalay and Sagaing as areas in urgent need of support, where communities have been hard-hit, and immediate help is critical.
Affected areas are very difficult to reach due to the severe destruction of roads. But we have activated our emergency funds and our local partners are organising our response in some of the worst-hit areas including Mandalay and Sagaing.
ActionAid’s work in Myanmar
ActionAid has been working with local partners in Myanmar since 2006.
Through our partners we provide humanitarian relief, tackle gender-based violence and enable participation in democratic processes.
Our work has a strong focus on women’s economic empowerment including access to seed banks and loans for women farmers.
We also support national civil society organisations and grassroots groups led by women and young people.
About ActionAid
ActionAid is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty.
Our dedicated local staff are changing the world with women and girls. We are ending violence and fighting poverty so that all women, everywhere, can create the future they want.
We operate in rural and urban communities across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
We're committed to ending the cycle of violence in communities around the world, enabling women's economic empowerment, and supporting women's and girls' rights during humanitarian crises.
Where your money goes
90% of your donation will go directly to ActionAid's Myanmar Earthquake Appeal.
10% of your donation will be retained for ActionAid’s Emergency Action Fund which will only be used for ensuring we are prepared and able to respond quickly and more effectively to future emergencies and crises.
If the total amount raised for this appeal exceeds the funds needed for the response, ActionAid will transfer the remaining balance to the Emergency Action Fund. All Gift Aid claimed on donations will fund ActionAid’s work across the world, wherever the need is greatest.
Page updated 31 March 2025