Overview

Australia extends its deepest condolences to all those affected by the devastating earthquake and aftershocks in Myanmar and neighbouring countries.

On Friday 28 March at 1250 local time (1720 AEDT), a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city, followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock just minutes later.

The earthquake has exacerbated the crisis in Myanmar, where around 20 million people are already in need of humanitarian assistance.

The earthquake has led to many lives being lost and extensive damage to infrastructure in Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw, as well as in surrounding areas, with hospitals overwhelmed.

Australia's humanitarian response

Australia acted swiftly to provide humanitarian support to the people of Myanmar, announcing an initial $2 million support package on 29 March provided through the International Committee of the Red Cross.

On 2 April, Australia announced additional support to help those impacted by the humanitarian crisis, including:

• $3.5 million to Australian NGOs and their local partners for food, water and sanitation and emergency health and education, and; a $500,000 contribution to the Emergency Action Alliance appeal.
• $3 million for emergency relief supplies and to support the efforts of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management.

Travel advice and consular assistance

Australians needing emergency consular assistance should contact the Consular Emergency Centre:

• 1300 555 135 in Australia
• 61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

We continue to advise do not travel to Myanmar due to the dangerous security situation and the threat of civil unrest and armed conflict.

For more information, visit Smartraveller Travel Advice & Safety for Myanmar

How Australians can help

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is actively monitoring the humanitarian situation in Myanmar and consulting with humanitarian agencies and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).

The most effective way Australians can help is to give a cash donation to one of the many Australian non-government organisations (NGOs) appealing for support.

Unfortunately, managing donations of goods often increases the burden on local relief authorities and creates costs for affected countries in transport, warehousing and distribution.

Australia has imposed targeted autonomous sanctions on Myanmar. For more information, please visit DFAT's Myanmar sanction regime.

For more information on how to donate responsibly, please read: Donate Responsibly [PDF]

Those wishing to make a monetary donation can visit Emergency Action Alliance's Myanmar Earthquake Appeal and ACFID's Myanmar Earthquake Appeal.

Media releases

• 30 March 2025 Humanitarian assistance to Myanmar | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Joint media release with The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for International Development and the Pacific
• 2 April 2025 Further humanitarian assistance to Myanmar | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Joint media release with The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for International Development and the Pacific