U.S. aid commitment fails to mobilize disaster response team in Myanmar

On March 28, 2025, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar, resulting in the deaths of over 2,000 people and leaving millions without shelter. The disaster highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, where more than 20 million people were already in need of assistance due to civil conflict. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was anticipated to take a lead role in the disaster response, yet it has failed to deploy a Disaster Assistance Response Team, which would typically have coordinated relief efforts and utilized U.S. resources effectively. USAID spokesperson Tammy Bruce explained that a team of humanitarian experts was being dispatched to assess needs for immediate shelter, food, medical aid, and access to clean water. However, Sarah Charles, assistant to the administrator of USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, pointed out that the capacity for the U.S. to provide assistance is constrained due to past funding cuts and operational disruptions instituted during the Trump administration, which resulted in significant layoffs and project cancellations. The situation has been made more complex as independent rescue teams, who have historically provided support in such crises, lack the necessary funding to deploy personnel and equipment. With many humanitarian groups unable to function at full capacity due to the long-term effects of previous funding suspensions, experts warned that the lack of immediate resources could lead to subsequent health crises, including the potential for disease outbreaks. International responses have been varied, with countries like China rapidly mobilizing resources to provide aid, contrasting sharply with the U.S. response. This absence of U.S. leadership in the area has raised concerns about the implications for future humanitarian efforts and the potential shift in global disaster diplomacy, as nations compete for influence in a region grappling with multiple crises.