Myanmar Faces Mountain of Rubble After Devastating Quake

UNDP

At least 2.5 million tonnes of debris—roughly 125,000 truckloads—must be urgently cleared across Myanmar following last month’s powerful earthquake, according to a new analysis released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The 7.7-magnitude quake, which struck in late March, has left parts of the country in ruins. Over 10,000 homes and public buildings are believed to be damaged or destroyed, while 128 health facilities may have suffered serious structural harm, leaving thousands without access to essential medical care.

Staggering Scale of Destruction

Remote sensing data shows that approximately 1.6 million buildings were in areas hit by “very strong” shaking or worse. Many of these structures were not built to withstand such force. Urban centres like Mandalay and Sagaing—both vital economic hubs—were among the worst hit.

“The remote sensing paints a very concerning picture,” said Titon Mitra, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Myanmar, speaking from Sagaing. “Patients are now housed in carparks, exposed to 40-degree heat and heavy rains. Over 60,000 people are in temporary displacement sites, too fearful to return home.”

Health, Housing, and Hope in Jeopardy

With critical infrastructure compromised and transport routes disrupted, concerns are mounting over the ability to deliver aid and restore basic services. Water supplies have also been knocked out in affected areas, compounding the humanitarian crisis.

UNDP’s damage assessments—powered by satellite imagery and population data—are now helping responders pinpoint the worst-affected regions, allowing for faster deployment of support. Rapid structural evaluations by local engineers are already underway to determine which buildings can be saved and which must be rebuilt.

Call for Global Support

UNDP is urging the international community to rapidly scale up recovery assistance. While urban areas need urgent action to restore market activity, rural regions face threats to the rice harvest unless infrastructure is swiftly repaired.

“This is the moment to shift from relief to recovery,” said Devanand Ramiah, Director of Crisis Readiness at UNDP. “We now have the data—what we need is coordinated, large-scale action.”

The agency emphasises that clearing debris is not just a clean-up effort, but a critical first step towards rebuilding lives and livelihoods in a nation already reeling from political instability and armed conflict.

-2025-04-16