RCN responds to catastrophic earthquake in Myanmar
02 April 2025
The RCN expresses its deepest sympathy with all those affected by the catastrophic earthquake which hit Myanmar last week. We offer our condolences to all those affected.
On Friday the 28th March a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit Myanmar, with South West China and Thailand also being impacted. Since Friday aftershocks have continued, and estimates suggest that more than 1,700 people have lost their lives and a further 3,400 have been injured, several hundred people remain missing. In Bangkok, the deaths of 18 people have also been confirmed.
For many years the RCN has worked with the nurses of Myanmar and have an extensive programme of support which will continue. The Myanmar nurses are a shining example to us all of the very best of our profession. We salute their bravery and tenacity in this appalling situation, and will continue to offer our support during this incredibly difficult time.
We recognise that this earthquake is yet another terrible chapter in Myanmar’s recent history and places its health system and its nurses under grave and unimaginable pressure. For too long the crisis in Myanmar has been a forgotten conflict and we are horrified by reports of further attacks by Myanmar’s military since the earthquake. The focus should be on providing rapid aid and assistance to all who need it.
We urge the global community to work collaboratively to support significant humanitarian assistance deployment and to ensure that aid is distributed based on need. The Junta should not obstruct efforts to deliver aid to regions and areas outside of its control and should not attack health workers or others who offer assistance.
We understand that this will be a particularly distressing time for many of members who have family and friends in the region, and we encourage any member who is impacted by this tragedy to reach out to the RCN’s welfare services.
To find out more about the RCN’s work in Myanmar please see https://www.rcn.org.uk/About-us/International.
On Friday the 28th March a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit Myanmar, with South West China and Thailand also being impacted. Since Friday aftershocks have continued, and estimates suggest that more than 1,700 people have lost their lives and a further 3,400 have been injured, several hundred people remain missing. In Bangkok, the deaths of 18 people have also been confirmed.
For many years the RCN has worked with the nurses of Myanmar and have an extensive programme of support which will continue. The Myanmar nurses are a shining example to us all of the very best of our profession. We salute their bravery and tenacity in this appalling situation, and will continue to offer our support during this incredibly difficult time.
We recognise that this earthquake is yet another terrible chapter in Myanmar’s recent history and places its health system and its nurses under grave and unimaginable pressure. For too long the crisis in Myanmar has been a forgotten conflict and we are horrified by reports of further attacks by Myanmar’s military since the earthquake. The focus should be on providing rapid aid and assistance to all who need it.
We urge the global community to work collaboratively to support significant humanitarian assistance deployment and to ensure that aid is distributed based on need. The Junta should not obstruct efforts to deliver aid to regions and areas outside of its control and should not attack health workers or others who offer assistance.
We understand that this will be a particularly distressing time for many of members who have family and friends in the region, and we encourage any member who is impacted by this tragedy to reach out to the RCN’s welfare services.
To find out more about the RCN’s work in Myanmar please see https://www.rcn.org.uk/About-us/International.
Page last updated - 03/04/2025
