Myanmar earthquake: can Asean step up to fill US aid vacuum?

featured-image

The US aid retreat opens ways for China and India to use their humanitarian assistance to build influence.

More than 3,000 people were killed by the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, flattening buildings and overwhelming local responders. China’s response was the most robust, with more than 600 personnel across 30 teams sent to Myanmar and over 100 million yuan (US$13.

7 million) pledged in aid. “Myanmar is China’s friendly neighbour. China is closely following the situation after the earthquake and extends sincere sympathies to Myanmar.



We hope and believe that the government and people of Myanmar will overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes at an early date,” China’s foreign ministry said in a statement..