Additional Coverage:
US Earthquake Aid to Myanmar Lags as China Steps Up
A US team is en route to Myanmar to assist with earthquake recovery efforts, but the response has been noticeably slower than in previous international disasters. While the US has pledged $2 million in aid and deployed a small USAID team for assessment, access to the country has been delayed. This contrasts sharply with the rapid deployment of USAID’s Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) following crises in Morocco, Libya, and Turkey/Syria in recent years.
Although the initial aid amount is consistent with past US contributions, critics point to the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to dismantle USAID as a contributing factor to the slower response. Thousands of USAID employees have been laid off, funding slashed, and its headquarters closed, though legal challenges are underway. The State Department, which recently announced its takeover of USAID functions, denies that these cuts have hampered the earthquake response, citing logistical reorganization rather than funding shortages.
Meanwhile, China has taken a leading role, deploying over 400 personnel and $14 million in aid within 18 hours of the quake. Chinese teams are actively providing supplies and rescuing survivors, earning praise on social media and highlighting China’s growing presence as a reliable regional partner.
This swift action contrasts with the US response, drawing criticism from aid organizations like Oxfam America, who argue that the US has “missed the first urgent window to help find survivors.” Oxfam’s CEO, Abby Maxman, directly blamed the dismantling of USAID for compromising the US’s ability to respond effectively to this and future emergencies.
Despite the delayed response, a US military team is collaborating with Israeli soldiers in Bangkok, utilizing drones and specialized equipment to search for survivors in a collapsed high-rise building. Local volunteers expressed gratitude for the American assistance, noting the US’s historical role as a first responder in regional disasters.
The State Department confirms ongoing discussions regarding further aid, including the potential deployment of a smaller DART team. The initial $2 million in aid will be distributed through partner organizations already operating in the affected areas.