Myanmar Spring Chronicle – April 13 Overview
published by MoeMaKa on April 14, 2025:
Earthquakes Continue in Mandalay & Sagaing as ASEAN Plans to Meet Min Aung Hlaing
More than two weeks after the powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28, Myanmar continues to experience frequent aftershocks—some of them moderate in intensity. A 5.5 magnitude quake struck again on April 13 near Wundwin, causing structural collapse of at least two buildings.
🌪 Ongoing Earthquake Trauma
People in quake-hit areas like Mandalay and Sagaing are still sleeping outdoors—on roadsides and makeshift platforms. The recent rainfall has worsened their situation, leaving many without proper shelter and vulnerable to sickness. The ongoing tremors, emotional trauma, loss of family members, and destruction of homes continue to inflict psychological and physical stress.
Despite these hardships, the military junta has failed to provide adequate emergency housing. Even government staff working in Naypyitaw’s ministries—under the junta’s administration—are reportedly affected, with thousands of staff apartments damaged or collapsed. Many civil servants are now living in temporary shelters. In contrast, the military quickly repaired the damaged walls of the Mandalay military command headquarters, raising questions about the regime’s priorities—protecting its own security infrastructure over the public’s needs.
🧩 Gaps in Relief & Reconstruction
Ordinary citizens are relying on humanitarian aid from international agencies, domestic volunteers, and mutual aid groups. Yet, fears of more large earthquakes persist. The repair or rebuilding of homes is complicated by financial challenges, risk of further quakes, and delays in reconstruction.
While Mandalay, as a trade and business hub, may see some recovery, towns like Sagaing, Kyaukse, Pyawbwe, and Wundwin are expected to face significant reconstruction hurdles.
🔄 Lessons from the Past, Challenges of the Present
After Cyclone Nargis in 2008, international governments assisted Myanmar through aid agencies. But the current 2025 global climate is very different. Today, international priorities lean toward self-interest and domestic concerns. With wars like the Russia–Ukraine conflict ongoing and U.S. focus turning inward, major global powers appear less likely to provide material assistance for Myanmar’s earthquake recovery.
🤝 ASEAN to Meet Junta Leader
A key development: ASEAN is set to meet junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok. Since the military coup, ASEAN had excluded Myanmar’s generals from summits unless they implemented the bloc’s five-point consensus. However, Malaysia’s Prime Minister—current ASEAN chair—announced the upcoming meeting, reportedly under the pretext of discussing humanitarian aid for earthquake relief.
Though the agenda may appear humanitarian, it’s expected that the ongoing armed conflict in Myanmar will also be discussed. Former Thai PM Thaksin reportedly played a behind-the-scenes role in arranging recent meetings—including Min Aung Hlaing’s attendance at the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok earlier this month. Reports indicate Thaksin and the Malaysian PM met shortly before this latest announcement.
ASEAN’s willingness to engage with Min Aung Hlaing could be seen diplomatically as a breakthrough. With elections promised for late 2025 (though widely expected to be neither free nor fair), some ASEAN members may accept the upcoming election as a way to “move forward” despite ongoing repression.
⚠️ Junta’s Strategy: Diplomatic Re-entry via Disaster
It appears the junta is using the earthquake crisis as a pretext to ease regional diplomatic isolation and sanctions. There are signs they may be seeing some limited success.