“China Outperforms US in Providing Aid for Myanmar Earthquake”
As a team of experts from the US prepares to assist in the recovery efforts following the devastating earthquake that claimed over 2,000 lives in Southeast Asia on Friday, other international teams, including those from China and Russia, are stepping in to fill the void left by the absence of the US. On Monday, the US announced a $2 million aid package, and a small team from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has been deployed to assess the situation in Myanmar. However, as of Monday morning, they had not yet been able to enter the country.
While the initial amount of aid pledged by the US is consistent with past responses, the overall speed of the response has been slower. For instance, in the aftermath of the 2023 earthquake in Morocco, a USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team was deployed within hours, even though Morocco did not ultimately request DART assistance. Similarly, when Libya experienced devastating floods that same year, DART teams were deployed on the same day. In the case of a major earthquake in Turkey and Syria that year, DART teams were also dispatched shortly after the disaster. However, in both instances, it took a few days for the DART teams to become fully operational.
The US response comes at a time when President Donald Trump is restructuring the federal government and dismantling USAID, resulting in layoffs, funding cuts for the majority of programs, and the closure of its headquarters. Despite ongoing legal challenges to these actions, the State Department announced on Friday that it would assume many functions and programming previously handled by USAID.
While the State Department denies that the cuts to USAID have hindered the earthquake response, there have been logistical challenges due to the reorganization. In contrast, China swiftly dispatched teams to the affected area just 18 hours after the earthquake, with over 400 personnel now providing on-the-ground support. China has also sent planes carrying supplies and pledged $14 million in aid. Additionally, China has multiple teams assisting in Thailand, positioning itself as a dependable partner during times of crisis.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning highlighted China’s response by sharing photos and videos of Chinese workers engaged in rescue operations and aid delivery, emphasizing China’s role as a reliable friend in times of need. Meanwhile, in Bangkok, US military personnel, collaborating with Israeli soldiers, are conducting search and rescue missions at the site of a collapsed 34-story building. The American team is utilizing drones to access areas that are too hazardous for rescue workers.
Both the US and China are actively involved in providing assistance in the wake of the earthquake, with China’s swift and substantial aid efforts garnering positive attention as a testament to its reliability and support during crises.
One of the volunteers in the rescue and search teams is sarangkool, who is also serving as a translator for the American teams. The people of Thailand are grateful for the American assistance, which they have come to expect after natural disasters. U.S. aid teams are known for being among the first to arrive on the scene to provide help. Discussions are underway within the State Department about a potentially more extensive response to the earthquake, which may include sending a smaller DART team compared to previous efforts. Bruce, a State Department official, stated that disaster experts from various locations are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with U.S. government counterparts in the region. She highlighted that the initial $2 million in support will be distributed through partner organizations already working in the affected areas. The headline “US pledges $2 million for Myanmar quake, but China already filled the void” was originally featured on abcnews.go.com.
