Publication

WHO Health Emergencies Programme: Sagaing Earthquake in Myanmar - Situation Report 1st Edition

29 March 2025

Highlights

On 28 March 2025, two strong earthquakes occurred in central Myanmar, in Sagaing Region, near Mandalay (the second largest city in the country). The first one was at 7.7 magnitude at 12:50 pm local time, and the second one was at 6.4 magnitude at 13:02 local time,
These earthquakes have caused large scale destruction of structures and building. The scale of deaths, injuries and damage to health facilities are not yet fully understood, and the reported number will likely to increase in the coming days.
Since the 2021, Myanmar has experienced widespread conflict and humanitarian deterioration. Prior to these earthquake, 12.9 million people are estimated to be in need of humanitarian health interventions in 2025.

Situation summary

Areas affected by the earthquakes are Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Shan South & East and Sagaing. These areas are already affected by conflict, displacement, and fragile health systems.
The casualties are likely to be highest in urban areas of Mandalay , Sagiang and Nay Pyi Taw.
Preliminary reports suggested that at least 1,000 people have died and over 2,200 have injured; however, the number will likely to increase in the coming days.
There are reports of hospitals being overwhelmed, and health facilities bearing extensive damages, in affected areas.

Mandalay

Being close to the epicenter, numerous structures and buildings collapsed, especially in municipal area of Mandalay city. These include: public and private health care facilities including Mandalay General Hospital, buildings of Mandalay Medical University and Mandalay University, an Islamic mosque (Friday prayers were ongoing), part of Mahamyat Mu Ni Buddha temple, monasteries and Kanbawza (KBZ) bank (three story building).
Tataroo international airport was damaged, and all the flights are being suspended.
U Hla Thein Monastery exam center has also collapsed, where more than 600 monks were taking exam. More than 200 monks were trapped inside the monastery and at least 80 deaths were reported as per media news.
Other townships in Mandalay Region like Ye Me Thin, Kyauk Se and Pyawbwe are also seriously affected.
Electricity and communication are largely disrupted.

Nay Pyi Taw

Severe damages occurred to the roads inside the Nay Phi Taw city and the roads connecting to the capital Yangon.
Nay Phi Taw Airport Tower has collapsed, and airport was closed.
Many government office buildings are damaged, including some offices of the Ministry of Health.
A big polyclinic, Oarttarathri hospital, is damaged, and rescue operation is ongoing.
Sagaing
Information on scale of the damage, including for health facilities, deaths and injuries, have been limited, due to disruption of internet and communication.
Old Sagaing bridge (Ava bridge), a 90-year-old structure, and many Buddhism temples on Sagaing Mountains were collapsed.
As per available media news, 80% of urban area of Sagaing Township was collapsed with increasing number of deaths and injuries are being reported.

Health needs

Management of mass causality
Trauma and surgical care
Blood transfusion supplies
Anesthetics
Essential medicines
Health facility damage assessments
Access to safe water and sanitation for earthquake affected population
Disease surveillance for outbreak prevention and response • Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

Response

The State Administration Council (SAC) declared a state of emergency in six regions (Sagaing,
Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Eastern Shan state, and Naypyidaw) and launched rescue operations.
SAC has requested international assistance to support relief efforts.

WHO response

WHO Myanmar country office is providing operational support to Rapid Response Teams deployed in the affected areas.
WHO Myanmar country office has disseminated key public health advice in the aftermath of an earthquake through different WHO Myanmar communication channels including its Facebook.
WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO) has activated an Incident Management Support Team (IMST) and is working in close coordination with the WHO Country Office in Myanmar, WHO headquarters and health partners.
The initial deployment team, consisting of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), and the WHO Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Secretariat, is planned to be in Myanmar to support the response efforts.
Operations Support and Logistics (OSL) teams at WHO headquarters and WHO SEARO are coordinating with the WHO logistics hub in Dubai to mobilize essential supplies and dispatch critical supplies to Myanmar.
WHO is mobilizing its global EMT network. As of 29 March 2025, 20 EMTs across the world have expressed readiness to deploy for field hospitals in Myanmar.
WHO SEARO has posted WHO responses on its social media. https://x.com/WHOSEARO/status/1905950088104395171 https://www.instagram.com/p/DHyDy_HSzj3/?hl=en&img_index=1 https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7311716516985454592 https://www.facebook.com/WHOSEARO/posts/pfbid0227rqcmsErDB2JYS6oZ4NMaHJcpn6YxUpKWv PcPtpUMGDoxD1iXNo5WA8ioHZ4N6Ll