KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will deploy two teams from the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to Myanmar to aid humanitarian and disaster relief efforts following the devastating earthquake that struck central Myanmar, northern Thailand, and parts of southern China.
The Foreign Ministry announced that an initial team of 10 Nadma personnel will depart for Yangon today to provide technical assistance and assess the situation on-site. A second team of 40 personnel is scheduled to follow tomorrow to address priority areas identified during the preliminary assessment.
“This larger team will focus on addressing priority areas identified during the initial assessment, ensuring that Malaysia’s assistance remains targeted, relevant and responsive to the evolving situation,” said the statement.
The ministry said it is facilitating all necessary visa and logistical arrangements for the Nadma mission with the Malaysian Embassy in Yangon providing ground support and coordinating with local authorities and humanitarian partners.
In a message shared on yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed deep concern over the devastation and extended condolences to the victims and their families, as well as reaffirmed Malaysia’s solidarity with Asean neighbours and its readiness to support humanitarian and recovery efforts.
The ministry reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to regional cooperation, pledging to continue contributing meaningfully to humanitarian relief and disaster management efforts across the region.
“In the spirit of shared responsibility, Malaysia stands with all affected communities during this period of recovery and resilience,” added the statement.
As of this morning, at least 144 people were killed and 732 injured, according to the information team of Myanmar’s State Administration Council.
The fatalities included 96 in Nay Pyi Taw, 18 in Sagaing and 30 in Kyaukse.
Meanwhile, several other nations have pledged support for Myanmar’s recovery efforts. China has affirmed its readiness to provide emergency humanitarian assistance, Bernama reported.
“The people of China and Myanmar enjoy a profound ‘pauk-phaw’ (fraternal) friendship. We feel for the people of Myanmar over the disaster,” its foreign ministry spokesperson said.
Indonesia has also extended its condolences, with President Prabowo Subianto saying: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of both countries during this difficult time.” Indonesia has pledged support for recovery efforts and confirmed that no Indonesian nationals were affected.
Singapore has expressed readiness to deploy its Operation Lionheart contingent for urban search and rescue operations in coordination with the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management. The foreign affairs ministry has also issued a travel advisory urging Singaporeans to defer travel to Myanmar.
Additionally, according to Bernama, in the United States, President Donald Trump acknowledged the gravity of the disaster, describing the situation as “terrible,” and confirmed that US officials have been in contact with Myanmar’s military junta to discuss assistance.
At the international level, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the United Nations is mobilising resources to support those affected in Myanmar and other impacted countries.
“Our teams in Myanmar are already in contact with local authorities in order to fully mobilise our resources in the region to support the people of Myanmar and other countries impacted,” he said.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region yesterday, has resulted in over 140 fatalities and hundreds of injuries, with aftershocks further exacerbating the damage.
This morning, six condominiums in Bangkok were declared unsafe after being severely damaged from the tremors. – March 29, 2025
Authorities in Myanmar and Thailand are still assessing the full extent of destruction as international aid efforts begin to take shape.