Photo caption: UN-Habitat observes a building safety assessment at Mandalay General Hospital.

MYANMAR—April 10, 2025— The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has rapidly launched an emergency response following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28th, 2025. In partnership with the Myanmar Engineering Society (MES), M-CAN, and other local stakeholders, the focus is on urgently assessing widespread building damage in the affected regions.

The earthquake, with its epicenter near Sagaing city, approximately 32 km from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, has caused catastrophic destruction across the Mandalay and Sagaing regions. As of April 9, 2025, reports indicate over 3,400 lives lost, 4,500 people injured, and 220 still missing, with 500 individuals rescued from the rubble. Both the initial tremor and a subsequent 6.6 magnitude aftershock have severely impacted critical infrastructure, including hospitals, roads, and airports.

Preliminary estimates suggest that around 9.1 million people have been affected across multiple regions, including Sagaing, Mandalay, Shwebo, Naypyitaw, and Meiktila. The destruction is vast, with more than 41,000 buildings damaged, including over 1,800 schools and 167 healthcare facilities.

Immediate Response and Collaborative Action

In response to the crisis, UN-Habitat swiftly established an Earthquake Emergency Response Team, drawing on expertise from its Myanmar office, Bangkok office, the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and its headquarters. Simultaneously, UN-Habitat partnered with the Myanmar Engineering Society (MES) to initiate a critical building damage assessment.

The collaboration combines a multi-faceted approach, integrating the following key components:

• Building Damage Assessment (MES): Joint teams from UN-Habitat and MES are on the ground evaluating the structural integrity of buildings.
• Public Health Angle: Hospital assessments are being conducted to assess the impact on healthcare facilities.

Photo caption: UN-Habitat, in collaboration with the Myanmar Engineering Society (MES), conducts a building safety assessment at Mandalay General Hospital.

Meeting with Representative of Myanmar Engineering Society (MES) for Mandalay Region

A recent meeting with the Representative of the Myanmar Engineering Society (MES) for Mandalay Region highlighted several key areas of concern and response:

• Displacement and Urgent Shelter Needs: Many survivors remain in open areas, emphasizing the immediate need for shelter and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) assistance. Proposals have been made for emergency shelters, temporary transitional shelters, or relocation to community centers, such as schools and monasteries. Mandalay local authorities and emergency response teams have established temporary camps in communal spaces, including football fields, monasteries, and schools. Buildings are being assessed and categorized into three groups:
  • Green: Buildings deemed safe for re-entry, with follow-up assessments planned for final verification.
  • Yellow: Buildings requiring retrofitting or repairs; residents will be temporarily relocated to communal camps.
  • Red: Buildings deemed unsafe, which will be demolished. Residents will be accommodated in camps until the sites are cleared and new housing can be constructed.

Collaboration with International Engineering Professionals

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, UN-Habitat engaged with numerous international engineering professionals to discuss potential collaboration. Many have agreed to provide technical support to Myanmar, particularly in building assessments in Mandalay and other affected regions. This support will be coordinated with local teams and MES to strengthen on-the-ground capacity. The minister has expressed strong support for this initiative and has committed to facilitating the involvement of these professionals alongside local teams.

Photo Caption: Earthquake-induced damage and cracks in the buildings at Mandalay General Hospital.

Key Findings and Emerging Challenges

The ongoing assessments have unveiled several critical issues:

• Widespread Infrastructure Damage: Airports in Mandalay and Naypyitaw were temporarily closed due to structural damage. Hospitals are operating under limited capacity, and major roads, including the Yangon-Mandalay Road, have been disrupted. Significant damage has also been reported to high-rise buildings, bridges, schools, and several important religious and heritage sites, including Mandalay Palace.
• Displacement and Safety Concerns: Thousands have been displaced, many residing in makeshift shelters, exacerbating their vulnerability to aftershocks.
• Building Demolition: MES-led surveyors have identified approximately 600 buildings for demolition due to severe structural damage. Tragically, 14 out of 16 surveyed monasteries in Mandalay have collapsed.
• Preliminary Safety Assessments: Of the 1,000 to 1,500 buildings surveyed, around 70% to 80% have been classified with a “green code,” signifying they are likely safe for reoccupation. However, the high number of buildings requiring demolition indicates the need for further detailed assessments.
• Uncoordinated Repair Activities: Concerns have been raised over unauthorized repair work commencing without prior notification to the engineering teams, stressing the need for better coordination and documentation.
• Insufficient Geological Assessments: Engineers have observed deviations from standard construction protocols, including improper foundation work and material use, sometimes influenced by cost-cutting practices.
• Poor Construction Practices: There is a critical need for improved building spacing and urban planning regulations to enhance safety and resilience.
• Urban Planning Deficiencies: The need for improved building spacing to enhance safety and resilience has been underscored.
• Skilled Labor Shortage: A lack of skilled workers, such as masons, could delay the rebuilding process and compromise construction quality.
• Absence of Comprehensive Architectural Guidelines: Detailed guidelines on earthquake-resistant construction techniques are lacking.

• Risk of Informal Settlements: Without addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, there is a risk of informal settlements emerging in the aftermath of the earthquake, which could undermine recovery efforts.

Photo Caption: Patients and medical staff temporarily remain outside the hospital because of safety concerns with the building.

Future Steps and Urgent Needs

In response to the unfolding crisis, UN-Habitat and its partners are focusing on the following immediate needs and future steps:

• Establishing a Knowledge Sharing Center: In collaboration with MES, a center for engineering education will be set up to focus on earthquake-resistant design principles.
• Conducting Building Assessment Clinics: Joint clinics will be organized to further assess damaged buildings and ensure continued safety evaluations.
• Providing Surveying Equipment: Support is needed to equip MES and the Mandalay General Hospital with essential surveying equipment for damage assessment.
• Harmonizing Tools and Enhancing Coordination: Efforts are being made to unify assessment tools and improve coordination among all stakeholders involved in the response.
• Capacity Building: Strengthening the capacity of local engineers and architects is a top priority to ensure sustainable reconstruction.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Support is required for the analysis of the collected data and the creation of a comprehensive damage assessment report, offering actionable recommendations.
• Promoting Resilient Recovery: The recovery process will emphasize the “Build Back Better” (BBB) approach, focusing on improved urban planning regulations, better building standards, and prioritizing the most vulnerable populations to avoid informal settlement formation.

Photo Caption: Meeting with the Head of Mandalay General Hospital and the Regional Health Coordinator to discuss the hospital building assessment and address emergency needs.

The collaboration between UN-Habitat and the Myanmar Engineering Society is a vital step towards understanding the full extent of the damage and laying the foundation for a resilient and sustainable recovery for the people of central Myanmar. The insights gained from the building damage assessments will be crucial in guiding shelter planning, reconstruction efforts, and the implementation of safer building practices for the future.

Photo caption: Engineers and technical experts in Mandalay oversee the demolition of the damaged ‘Ma Soe Yein Kyaung Tike’ monastery.