New Delhi [India]: The Quad nations—India, the United States, Australia, and Japan—have come together to provide humanitarian assistance to Myanmar in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025. The combined contribution from the four countries amounts over USD 20 million.
In a joint statement, the Quad partners said:
“We, the Quad partners, have so far committed humanitarian assistance estimated at a combined value of over USD 20 million. Through our funding and bilateral efforts, we are delivering relief supplies and deploying emergency medical teams and supporting humanitarian partners working in Myanmar to provide care for those affected by the earthquake.”
The powerful earthquake led to more than 3,000 deaths, thousands of injuries, and widespread damage to infrastructure, worsening an already fragile humanitarian situation in Myanmar.
“We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the peoples of Myanmar and Thailand following the earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025. The significant loss of life, injuries, and widespread destruction of infrastructure worsen an already-dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar,” the statement said.
The Quad has expressed support for the temporary ceasefire announced by Myanmar’s military junta and is urging all parties to extend and expand the ceasefire to ensure unimpeded delivery of aid across the country.
“The Quad nations have welcomed the temporary, partial ceasefires implemented by Myanmar’s ruling military government and are calling on all parties to extend and broaden these measures. This will enable the safe and timely delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance throughout Myanmar.”
Additionally, the statement welcomed support from regional partners:
“We welcome the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ statements of 29 and 30 March and the support provided by ASEAN and countries in the region to the communities affected.”
To ensure efficient and coordinated aid delivery, the Quad is working closely with humanitarian agencies and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management.
“The Quad is coordinating efforts to ensure that our response effectively and efficiently distributes assistance and meets the needs of the communities affected. The Quad’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Partnership has established a coordination group that is collaborating closely with other partners, including the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management,” the statement read.
This collaborative effort continues the Quad’s longstanding tradition of disaster response, originating from its coordination after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
“Quad cooperation traces its origin to our response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, and since then we have provided practical and effective humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in moments of need across the Indo-Pacific. We affirm the Quad’s commitment to working together in response to natural disasters and broader challenges to regional stability and security, as part of our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the statement added.
Myanmar, which has been in conflict since gaining independence in 1948, continues to experience one of the world’s longest-running civil wars. The earthquake has prompted the military government to temporarily pause its operations against opposition groups.
According to CNN, state-run media outlet MRTV announced that the ceasefire would last until April 22 for the purpose of rescue and rehabilitation efforts:
“For paying sympathy to the victims of the earthquake across the country, for providing the effective rescue operation and rehabilitation,” the announcement said.