Nearly 10 months after a deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on 28 March 2025, the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) has shared a final report on its international fundraising appeal and humanitarian relief outreach to provide aid to vulnerable communities in Myanmar most affected by the disaster.*
“The devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar in March 2025 [caused] immense losses across Mandalay, Sagaing, Southern Shan, and surrounding regions,” INEB shared with the release of its final report in December. “The Myanmar Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund was successfully implemented from 29 March to 30 November 2025, providing timely and community-led assistance over an eight-month period.
“Through [our] emergency fund, INEB was able to reach 28,571 direct beneficiaries and [more than] 54,802 indirect beneficiaries, using a total fund of US$172,131. This effort was entirely supported by people around the world through crowdfunding.”
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake, and a subsequent 6.4-magnitude tremor, was centered along the Sagaing fault line in the Sagaing Region of Myanmar, with its epicenter close to the nation’s second-largest city Mandalay (population 1.7 million). Following the quake, rescue and recovery efforts were hampered by strong winds and heavy monsoon rains.*
The independent Burmese news outlet Mizzima News reported that fatalities from the quake were at least 5,352, with at least 7,108 people injured and 538 missing. Because of state censorship and a consequent lack of transparency within Myanmar, experts fear that the true casualty count could be far higher. The deaths were recorded in Bago, Kayin, Magway, Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Sagaing, and Shan. With more than 120,000 homes damaged and extensive damage to public infrastructure, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimated that more than 17 million Burmese were affected.
INEB responded swiftly when news of the humanitarian crisis emerged, launching an urgent international appeal to support relief efforts for vulnerable communities, even as parts of central Myanmar were still experiencing almost daily aftershocks, and with more than 200,000 people displaced and homeless.
“Working closely with trusted local partners, monastics, youth volunteers, and INEB alumni networks embedded in affected communities, we delivered emergency food, medical supplies, sanitation support, shelter materials, permanent buildings, restrooms and early recovery assistance to some of the most vulnerable groups,” INEB stated “This global solidarity made it possible to reach areas often overlooked and to respond with dignity, care, and respect for local wisdom.”
The International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) is a worldwide network of individuals and organizations who are committed to promoting and working toward social justice, environmental sustainability, and world peace. INEB was formed in 1989 by the renowned Buddhist scholar and activist Prof. Sulak Sivaraksa and a group of Buddhist leaders seeking to apply the Buddhist teachings and principles to contemporary social and political issues. Through its global network, INEB works to promote understanding, cooperation, and connection among inter-Buddhist and inter-religious groups, and to actively address urgent global issues such as human rights, conflict resolution, and environmental crises.
“INEB’s Myanmar Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund was strategically distributed across five critically affected regions: Amarapura, Sagaing, Mandalay, Kyaukse, and Inle Lake,” INEB explained. “These areas were selected based on the severity of impact, the vulnerability of local populations, and the lack of sufficient support from other aid organizations. The relief activities were implemented phase by phase, aligning with the urgency of community needs and the availability of donated funds.”
INEB implemented relief activities in several phases from early April to October 2025:
• Distribution of rice, cooking oil, canned food, and clean drinking water
• Medical support, including oral rehydration salts and emergency treatments
• Shelter provisions such as raincoats, mosquito nets, solar lights, carpets, power banks, pillows, blankets, and body bags
• Financial assistance for internet bills and basic health costs
• Provision of roofing materials and tools to support initial house reconstruction
• Setting up a water purification system in two locations
• Building permanent restrooms
According to independent local media reports, infrastructure destruction included government buildings, residential homes, religious structures, roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, as well as communications, utilities, and other public and private facilities.
“The primary objective was to deliver immediate humanitarian assistance, including food, water, shelter items, and medical support, while also addressing broader recovery needs through communication tools and temporary financial aid,” INEB remarked. “The relief effort was powered by local youth volunteers, who played a vital role in navigating difficult terrain and politically sensitive areas to ensure timely and equitable support.”
INEB noted that their compassion-based outreach faced numerous obstacles, from state security checkpoints to monitoring by the government government that endangered volunteers and sometimes blocked access to affected zones. The report added supplying basic goods and materials needed for relief efforts was hampered by price increases driven by inflation and limited market supply.
Meanwhile, the long-term implications of widespread emotional trauma and infrastructure devastation remained a point of concern—particularly with regard to children, pregnant women, monks, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.
“While the emergency phase has concluded, INEB will continue long-term recovery initiatives,” INEM emphasized. “Any further earthquake-related donations will support sustainable projects, including the establishment of community-based trauma healing centers.”
Headquartered in Bangkok, INEB has established a wide range of social projects and outreach programs across the region aimed at overcoming suffering and empowering vulnerable communities through the practice of the Dharma and social engagement—such as education and training programs, community development projects, advocacy and lobbying efforts, and interfaith dialogue.
INEB emphasizes the importance of developing an ethical, Dharma-based approach to its work, and encourages members to work collaboratively and respectfully with individuals and organizations upon a foundation of shared values and aspirations. The network also advocates the importance of environmental sustainability and the responsible use of natural resources, and has promoted sustainable development practices in various communities.
Further details and donation opportunities can be found here. INEB can be contacted directly at: [email protected]
* Engaged Buddhism: INEB Launches Urgent Humanitarian Appeal in the Wake of Myanmar Earthquake (BDG), Engaged Buddhism: INEB Shares Humanitarian Relief Update After Myanmar Earthquake (BDG), and Engaged Buddhism: INEB Offers Update on Humanitarian Aid One Month After Myanmar Earthquake (BDG)
See more
International Network of Engaged Buddhists
Myanmar Earthquake Appeal (INEB)
Final Report of the Myanmar Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund (INEB)
INEB – International Network of Engaged Buddhists (Facebook)
ငလျင်ဘေးသင့်ဒေသခံများ ယာယီနေထိုင်သည့်နေရာများတွင် အိမ်သာ မလုံလောက်မှုနှင့် ရင်ဆိုင်နေရ (Mizzima News)
Six months after Myanmar earthquake, survivors struggle while Naypyidaw focuses on elections (DVB)
UN expert calls for emergency Security Council action to address ceasefire violations after devastating Myanmar earthquake (United Nations)
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