Myanmar 20250422
Mekong Memo Myanmar Weekly: Business, politics, finance, trade & legal news.
Southeast Asian business news delivered to your inbox every weekday with the Mekong Memo.
The Memo is published each weekday for the countries of your choice. Paid subscriptions receive full editions while free subscribers usually only get top headlines and the first few stories. We can’t do this without your support, so please consider a paid subscription.
The Mekong Memo is proudly presented by:
Horton International is your premier partner for executive search in Southeast Asia. Whether you're a small startup or a global corporation, our reliable and effective recruiting solutions are tailored to meet your unique needs. With extensive experience and offices across the region, we excel at overcoming recruitment challenges and securing top talent for your organization.
Click here to learn how Horton can make your life easier.
Here is this week’s edition of the Mekong Memo for Myanmar.
If you appreciate the work that goes into preparing The Memo (and the time it saves you!), please consider a paid subscription to support our efforts. Thank you.
Headlines:
Quake Crisis Deepens
"Supershear" Quake Breaks Scientific Ground
Building Materials Scarce, Prices Soar
Aid Trickles In Despite Political Friction
Women and Kids at Highest Risk
Earthquake Truce Fails as Fighting Continues
Junta Forges Ahead With Election Plans
Gov’t Abandons Quake-Hit Capital
China Plays a Double Game
Junta Loses Ever More Ground as War Grinds On
Rare Earth Market Shaken
Diaspora Fuels Resistance Movement
Healthcare System Breaking Down
Heineken Surges on Snub of Junta-Linked Beer
Quake Uncovers Ancient Palace
Quake Crisis Deepens
The March 28 earthquake has devastated central Myanmar, killing more than 3,700 (numbers are still expected to rise) and injuring more than 5,000. At least 129 people remain missing in the destruction: nearly 65,000 houses gone, 2,600 schools damaged, and almost 600 hospitals hit. About 200,000 people are homeless, with families still sleeping outside during aftershocks while floods swamp tented camps. Nearly 125,000 truckloads of debris have so far blocked recovery efforts. Aid groups say that nearly half of victims haven't received help, and a Red Cross emergency appeal is just 10% funded. Many areas still haven’t had water and electricity restored yet.
Read more: LA Times (Resource Shortage), AP (Debris), UNICEF (Child Impact), ReliefWeb (Ongoing Needs), UNRefugees (Aid Supplies)
"Supershear" Quake Breaks Scientific Ground
Scientists have said that Myanmar quake was a rare "supershear" event where the fault rupture moved faster than seismic waves. The break stretched more than 400 km, shifted ground by 20 feet and sent aftershocks into Thailand and Yunnan. It's the first major quake on the Sagaing Fault since 1839. Researchers quickly mapped the damage using satellites and submarine cable sensors and the data is being used to improve experts' understanding of earthquake risk in the region.
Read more: Scitech Daily (Supershear Science), Space Daily (Rupture Dynamics), Scitech Daily (Satellite Mapping)
Building Materials Scarce, Prices Soar
Rebuilding efforts are being held back by material shortages. Cement and steel prices have jumped eightfold over the past several years and import restriction are only making the scarcity worse. With tens of thousands of buildings destroyed, many families and business owners are putting off reconstruction and making do with makeshift alternatives in the meantime. Even areas distant from the quake's epicenter, like Yangon, are struggling to secure essential supplies and the situation is worst in the hardest-hit regions.
Read more: Myanmar Now
Aid Trickles In Despite Political Friction
International aid has arrived from the UN, India, Malaysia, China, Japan and others, bringing medical supplies, shelter kits and food. Myanmar Red Cross, IFRC and UNICEF are running airbridges and field hospitals, with Indian and Japanese rescue teams managing local clinics. Funding, however, still falls far short of needs, access restrictions are slowing delivery, and almost half those affected haven't been reached. The military demands proper ID documentation for aid, leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced people dependent on local civil groups and private donations.
Read more: Reuters (Funding Gap), Indian Express (Aid Strategy), UNICEF (Field Testimony), Japan NHK (Medical Teams), Japan MOFA (Diplomatic Approach), Ledger Transcript (Donor Networks), Direct Relief (Medical Aid), UN News (UN Response), Tribune India (Operation Brahma)
Women and Kids at Highest Risk
Women and girls face are in increasing peril after the quake, with 220,000 pregnancies threatened by damaged hospitals and disrupted maternal care. Nearly 9 million girls and women were affected; many now deal with unsafe shelter, reduced reproductive health services, and violence and threats of trafficking. Child rights violations have jumped 400%, including recruitment into armed groups and attacks on schools. More than 5.8 million children need support as trauma, displacement, and education disruptions continue to grow.
Read more: UN Women (Gender Impact), UN Women GiHA (Healthcare), Children and Armed Conflict (Child Rights)
Earthquake Truce Fails as Fighting Continues
The earthquake ceasefire hasn't stopped the violence. Airstrikes hit Mandalay, Sagaing, Mon, and Rakhine states, killing at least 50 civilians, including children. Rebel areas along the Thai border are under ongoing bombardment, forcing hundreds to flee. Air attacks targeted resistance groups even during regional New Year celebrations (mid-April), hitting pavilions and monasteries. Malaysia has tried to broker talks between the junta and exiled National Unity Government (NUG) to extend the ceasefire - becoming the first ASEAN nation to openly meet NUG leadership - but fighting continues despite the nominal truce.
Read more: RFA (Airstrikes), Bangkok Post (Border Attacks), Defense Post (Displacement), Dhaka Tribune (Relief Blocked), MyanNow (Thingyan Bombing), BSS News (Border Skirmishes), Mizzima (Ongoing Attacks)
Junta Forges Ahead With Election Plans
The military government is rushing election preparations for December/January despite accusations of weaponizing relief and continuing military offensives. The Union Solidarity and Development Party is the only visible group organizing. The junta claims upcoming "free and fair" elections in its New Year message, but Western nations and opposition groups continue to slam the plan as being compromised by violence and military control. Malaysia is focused on securing a ceasefire rather than elections, and most ASEAN members aren't engaging with the junta's electoral plans.
Read more: Irrawaddy (Junta Plans), AOL (Ceasefire Diplomacy), Irrawaddy (NUG Meeting), WHTC (Talks Announced)
Gov’t Abandons Quake-Hit Capital
The earthquake damaged nearly 80% of government buildings in Naypyitaw, including major ministry offices and staff housing. The junta is now moving several ministries - foreign affairs, commerce, central bank, and immigration - to Yangon. Staff are currently work from tents or looking for alternative housing while urban redesign plans take shape. Experts are saying that a full recovery will take years given the scale of damage.
Read more: Nation Thailand (Urban Impact), Irrawaddy (Damage Details), Irrawaddy (Ministry Moves)
China Plays a Double Game
China has quickly sent medical aid, 50 healthcare workers, several humanitarian flights, and supported regional epidemic prevention and infrastructure assessment. At the same time, Beijing is pushing the junta and Kokang MNDAA rebels toward ceasefire, trying to protect its Belt and Road investments. Anti-Chinese sentiment is rising due to a public perception of support for the military, with attacks on Chinese projects and mines disrupting business. Analysts see China playing dual roles: relief provider and power broker, looking for stability while taking advantage of the crisis to expand regional influence.
Read more: China Daily (Medical Teams), People CN (Disease Prevention), Nikkei (Politics & Crisis), Foreign Affairs (Analysis), Irrawaddy (Social Pushback), Eurasia Review (Proxy Dynamics), SCMP (Rare Earths Supply), UN-SPIDER (Satellite Mapping)
Junta Loses Ever More Ground as War Grinds On
The military controls less than a quarter of Myanmar now, with rebel coalitions like NUG, People's Defence Force, and ethnic armed groups running large areas. Operation 1027 and other successful offensives have put the junta on its heel, forcing it to introduce mandatory conscription and launch airstrikes on civilian areas. The quake has disrupted military logistics, especially the production of ammunition, and the regime manipulates constitutional rules to continue functioning with a minimum of elected representatives.
Read more: Christian Science Monitor (Warfare Map), Al Jazeera (Conflict Impacts), Catholic Outlook (Territorial Control), Irrawaddy (ASEAN Realignment)
Rare Earth Market Shaken
The earthquake may disrupt global rare earth supply, as Myanmar provides over half of China's imports, especially dysprosium and terbium needed for tech hardware. Damage to mining equipment, disrupted transport links, and rebel attacks on mines could cause price swings and force China to look elsewhere for a stable supply input.
Read more: SCMP
Diaspora Fuels Resistance Movement
Diaspora fundraising has raised hundreds of thousands in aid, with campaigners pushing for more international sanctions and stronger opposition support. Poets, writers, and academics have joined armed protesters, running mobile literary clubs in the resistance. Figures like Kim Aris, Aung San Suu Kyi's son, tour the US to campaign for political prisoners and try to rally support for Myanmar's struggle.
Read more: Mizzima (Diaspora Advocacy), The Times (Culture and Resistance)
Healthcare System Breaking Down
Local medical teams and international support from China and Japan are treating thousands for quake injuries, chronic diseases, and psychological trauma. Many patients are still untreated in overcrowded clinics, battling fracture complications, infectious diseases, and grief. Outbreaks of cholera, measles, and dengue are becoming more likely as the rains mix with a dysfunctional sanitation situation. Aid workers say that as monsoon season hits, both funding and staff are running low on the resources that will be required for sustained healthcare.
Read more: NHK World (Medical Support), IFRC (Aid Coordination), HI (Care for Disabled), UNICEF (WASH and Epidemics)
Heineken Surges on Snub of Junta-Linked Beer
International beer brands, led by Heineken, have been grabbing market share in the beer market as there has been a widespread rejection of military-tied Myanmar Brewery. Heineken now holds roughly 50% market share, and Carlsberg and Chang are also growing, though Heineken remains top dog for now. Myanmar Brewery, once the leader with an 80% share, now clings to 10–15%, partially recovering as boycott sentiment fades. Despite demand, supply constraints of limited capacity and worsening logistics are still holding the market back.
Read more: Nikkei Asia
Quake Uncovers Ancient Palace
The earthquake has exposed buried ruins of a Konbaung-era royal palace in Inwa, bringing stone staircases, platforms, and ceremonial structures to the surface. Archaeologists are studying connections to the Thingyan New Year festival and examining palm-leaf records to understand the site. The discovery is a rare look into Myanmar's pre-colonial past as recovery teams work to clear debris from cultural heritage sites.
Read more: Archaeology.org (Site Discovery), Indian Defence Review (Historical Details)
That’s it for this week… THANK YOU.
Your voice matters to us. Feel we're missing something? Have additional sources to suggest? Don't hold back— reply and tell us what you think.
If you value the Mekong Memo, please consider buying (or gifting!) a paid subscription, sharing it on social media or forwarding this email to someone who might enjoy it. You can also “like” this newsletter by clicking the ❤️ below (or sometimes above, depending on the platform), which helps us get visibility on Substack.