Trump pledges assistance as death toll from Burma earthquake surpasses 1,000

March 29, 2025 TruthUSA

The State Department has stated that cuts to USAID have not affected the U.S.’s ability to assist in disaster response.

President Donald Trump declared on Friday that the United States will offer aid to Burma after a powerful earthquake resulted in over 1,000 deaths, with local military officials warning that the death toll is expected to rise.

Burma, also known as Myanmar, experienced a magnitude 7.7 earthquake on Friday, causing extensive damage, especially in Mandalay city where numerous buildings collapsed.

The Burmese military junta reported that as of March 29, the death toll had reached 1,002, with 2,376 others injured. Around 30 individuals are feared to be missing and trapped under debris.

The junta has cautioned that these figures may rise as search and rescue operations continue. Burmese junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing has invited “any country or organization” to provide assistance, as reported by local media.

During a press conference at the Oval Office, Trump stated that his administration has been in contact with officials in Burma in the aftermath of the earthquake.

“We are going to provide help. We have already informed the relevant authorities. It’s a tragic event. We have already communicated with the country,” Trump announced.

Trump’s announcement coincided with a federal appeals court decision on Friday that permitted the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to proceed with downsizing efforts at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This agency is responsible for managing U.S. foreign aid, and previous budget cuts have compelled the United Nations and non-governmental organizations to scale back their programs in Burma.

Despite the cutbacks, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce assured reporters on Friday that USAID’s reductions have not impacted the U.S.’s capacity to aid in disaster response.

“USAID has maintained a team of disaster experts ready to assist in case of emergencies,” she explained. “These experts deliver immediate aid, such as food and clean water, crucial for saving lives after a disaster.”

Bruce mentioned that the administration will rely on requests for assistance and field reports to shape its response to the earthquake.

The earthquake also affected neighboring Thailand, which revised its initial death toll from 10 to 6 on March 29. Thai authorities reported 22 injuries and 101 individuals still missing at construction sites in Bangkok.

The United States Geological Service (USGS) estimated that the death toll in Burma could surpass 10,000, with losses exceeding the country’s GDP value.

People drive on a motorbike past a collapsed building in Mandalay, after an earthquake in central Burma, on March 28, 2025. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) — People drive on a motorbike past a collapsed building in Mandalay, after an earthquake in central Burma, on March 28, 2025. STR/AFP via Getty Images

The military government in Burma has declared a state of emergency in six regions and states, including Mandalay and the capital, Naypyidaw. At least five cities and towns have reported building collapses and bridge failures, including one on a major highway between Mandalay and Yangon, as reported by Burma’s state-run newspaper on Saturday.

Other countries have also extended aid to Burma. Russia’s emergencies ministry dispatched two planes with 120 rescuers and supplies on Friday, while India sent a search and rescue team. Malaysia announced it will send 50 individuals on Sunday to assist in the worst-affected areas.

The United Nations has allocated $5 million to support life-saving efforts in Burma. Sheela Matthew of the UN World Food Programme stated that the disaster exacerbated the existing humanitarian crisis in Burma, which was already facing acute food insecurity.

The country has been entrenched in armed conflicts with opponents of military rule for four years since the junta seized power in a coup in February 2021. This conflict has displaced over 3.5 million people, according to the UN.

Contributions from The Associated Press, Chris Summers, and Reuters have been included in this report.

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