Internet Blackouts Cripple Myanmar’s Earthquake Relief Efforts

TNLA

More than a week after Myanmar’s deadliest earthquake in decades, a lack of internet access is hampering emergency efforts and leaving families in the dark about missing loved ones.

The 7.7 magnitude quake struck on 28 March, with Mandalay at its epicentre. Over 3,500 people are confirmed dead, many still buried beneath the rubble. But in vast parts of the country, survivors remain unaware of the full scale of the disaster—thanks to a digital blackout imposed by the military junta.

Since seizing power in 2021, Myanmar’s military has restricted online access in an attempt to crush dissent. Entire regions have been left without internet, while others face heavy censorship and firewalls. Now, these blackouts are stalling vital aid and blocking communication between families, relief workers, and authorities.

“It’s so difficult to connect with friends and family to make sure they’re okay,” said Gus, an LGBTQ+ activist in Sagaing. He hasn’t heard from two friends who were in Mandalay when the quake struck. “I’m so worried about them.”

Aid workers say the blackout is leading to dangerous delays. In areas without any connectivity, residents must travel days just to report needs. Relief teams, meanwhile, are relying on limited Starlink satellite connections, which remain unaffordable for most locals.

“Three days passed before help arrived in my town,” said Gus, who accessed news through a Starlink link operated by local business owners.

The junta’s control over digital communications is drawing international criticism. Yadanar Maung, of Justice For Myanmar, called it a “digital dictatorship” and urged telecom firms and foreign governments to pressure the regime to restore access.

While satellites and AI tools—like Microsoft's AI for Good and the EU’s Copernicus—are helping map damage remotely, aid groups say there’s no substitute for on-the-ground contact.

“We can see where people are, but we can’t hear what they need,” one anonymous aid worker said. “No technology replaces being there.”

With rain and military interference worsening conditions, the crisis response remains perilously hampered—leaving thousands at risk in the wake of disaster.

-2025-04-10