Red Cross faces funding shortage in Myanmar earthquake relief

The IFRC has received only 10% of its $122 million emergency appeal for Myanmar’s earthquake recovery, raising alarm as thousands remain homeless and vulnerable ahead of monsoon season.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said on Thursday that it has received only a small portion of its emergency appeal for 100 million Swiss francs ($122.4 million) to support recovery efforts following last month’s devastating earthquake in Myanmar.

The 7.7-magnitude quake, which struck on March 28 and is among the strongest to hit Myanmar in a century, killed over 3,600 people, destroyed entire communities, and left thousands without access to basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter.

“Only 10% of our appeal has been funded—far less than we anticipated. It’s nowhere near enough,” said Alexander Matheou, IFRC’s regional director, speaking to Reuters via video link from Mandalay.

The organization attributed the shortfall to a general decline in international aid, compounded by reduced U.S. funding under President Donald Trump’s administration.

“We now have around 200,000 people living on the streets because it’s unsafe to return to their homes. They urgently need shelter, food, clean water, and sanitation,” Matheou explained.

He also noted extensive destruction, including to homes, entire streets, and important cultural sites such as temples, mosques, and churches.

The IFRC reported more than 400 aftershocks in the 10 days following the quake, forcing thousands to sleep outdoors out of fear that damaged buildings could collapse. The looming monsoon season is expected to worsen conditions further.

The earthquake hit at a particularly fragile time for Myanmar, already reeling from four years of military rule and ongoing civil conflict that have severely weakened infrastructure and displaced millions.

According to the country’s military, 3,645 people were killed, 5,017 injured, and 148 remain missing. Nearly 49,000 homes and over 2,100 government buildings were destroyed.

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