Overview of the Situation
On 28 March, at 12:50 local time, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, with the epicenter approximately 16 km north-northwest of Sagaing city and 19 km northwest of Mandalay city. The quake caused widespread destruction, collapsing numerous buildings. Twelve minutes later, a 6.4-magnitude aftershock intensifi ed the devastation, further damaging structures in Mandalay and Sagaing.
The six impacted regions—Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Shan, and Naypyidaw—are home to over 28 million people, including an estimated 6.7 million children. Sagaing is home to 1.3 million internally displaced people, adding to the vulnerability of the region. According to USGS reports, approximately 22.67 million people were exposed to strong shaking levels. Initial reports indicate over 1,000 casualties, though verifi cation is ongoing due to blocked roads and disrupted communications.
