- A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, with a death toll exceeding 3,000.
- Over 15 countries, including China and Russia, have sent rescue teams and financial aid.
- The US has only deployed a three-member assessment team, with no specialized rescue crews on the ground.
- Critics attribute the absence to the Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID and aid program cuts.
- The US has pledged $9 million in aid, significantly less than other nations like Britain and China.
US Rescuers Absent in Myanmar Earthquake Relief Efforts
A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, leaving a trail of destruction and a death toll exceeding 3,000. While international rescue teams from countries like China, Russia, and Vietnam have been actively involved in relief efforts, the United States has been notably absent, raising questions about its commitment to global humanitarian aid.
Global Response to the Disaster
In the aftermath of the earthquake, over 15 countries have sent rescue teams and pledged financial aid. Chinese rescue teams have been particularly active, pulling survivors from collapsed buildings and setting up field hospitals. Russian medical teams have also been on the ground, providing immediate care to the wounded. Vietnam’s team arrived promptly, marching proudly behind their national flag. These efforts have been widely covered by international media, showcasing the global solidarity in the face of disaster.
US Absence Raises Concerns
Despite its reputation as a leader in disaster response, the United States has only deployed a three-member assessment team from a regional USAID office in Bangkok, Thailand. This minimal presence stands in stark contrast to the hundreds of rescue workers sent by other nations. Critics argue that this absence is a direct result of the Trump administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and its broader retreat from global humanitarian aid programs.
Impact of USAID Cuts
Lia Lindsey, a senior humanitarian policy adviser for Oxfam, expressed concern over the human impact of these policy changes. «We all worried what would be the human impact of President Donald Trump’s dismantling of the six-decade-old U.S. Agency for International Development,» Lindsey said. «Now, we’re seeing it in real time. We’re seeing it in increased suffering and increased death.» The Trump administration has frozen USAID funding, terminated thousands of contracts, and reduced staff globally, accusing the agency of waste and advancing liberal causes.
US Aid Pledges Fall Short
The U.S. has pledged $9 million in aid for Myanmar, a figure that pales in comparison to the $13 million pledged by Britain and the significant contributions from China and other nations. This amount is also dwarfed by the roughly $2 billion in unpaid bills owed to nonprofit humanitarian groups and contractors by the Trump administration, which abruptly shut down USAID and State foreign assistance payments on Inauguration Day.
Historical Context
Historically, the U.S. has been a major player in disaster response, providing both immediate relief and long-term aid. Sarah Charles, who ran disaster response at USAID during the Biden administration, noted that the U.S. would typically have 20 to 25 specialized disaster workers on the ground within 24 hours of a major disaster. This number could increase to 200 or more if urban rescue teams from California and Virginia were deployed. However, the Trump administration’s cancellation of transport contracts has left the U.S. without the means to quickly mobilize these teams.
Global Implications
The absence of U.S. rescue teams in Myanmar is seen as a significant shift in American foreign policy, which has traditionally combined hard military power with soft power through robust aid and development programs. This retreat from global humanitarian efforts has implications not only for those in need but also for U.S. standing in the world. As Senator Chris Coons observed, «It hurt my heart to see where, instead of a USAID team leading the response, there was a team from the PRC that was being celebrated for having saved some people in the rubble.»
The Myanmar earthquake has highlighted the consequences of the Trump administration’s cuts to USAID and its broader retreat from global humanitarian aid. While other nations have stepped up to provide critical assistance, the absence of U.S. rescue teams has raised concerns about the future of American leadership in disaster response and global humanitarian efforts.