President Donald Trump confirmed the U.S. will assist Burma following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake, as the death toll continues to rise and aid efforts accelerate.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

President Donald Trump on Friday pledged that the United States “will be helping” Burma following a catastrophic earthquake that has killed more than 1,000 people and injured over 2,300, with rescue officials warning those figures are expected to grow in the coming days.

The magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck early Friday, devastating several cities including Mandalay, where buildings collapsed and bridges buckled. The Burmese military government said 1,002 people were confirmed dead as of March 29, with dozens more feared trapped under rubble. Officials have declared a state of emergency in six administrative regions, including the capital, Naypyidaw.

“We’re going to be helping,” President Trump told reporters from the Oval Office. “We’ve already alerted the people. It’s terrible what happened. We’ve already spoken with the country.”

Despite significant cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a recent appeals court ruling allowed the Trump administration to continue its downsizing agenda. The White House emphasized that the restructuring has not affected disaster response capabilities.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Friday, “USAID has maintained a team of disaster experts with the capacity to respond if disaster strikes. These expert teams provide immediate assistance, including food and safe drinking water, needed to save lives in the aftermath of a disaster.”

She added that the administration is evaluating field reports and direct requests from Burma to determine the scale of U.S. involvement.

The quake also impacted Thailand, where six fatalities and 22 injuries were confirmed, with over 100 workers missing at construction sites in Bangkok.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) projected that the death toll in Burma could ultimately surpass 10,000, with economic losses potentially exceeding the country’s gross domestic product.

The junta government, led by General Min Aung Hlaing, formally appealed for international assistance. Russia responded by dispatching two aircraft carrying 120 rescue personnel and emergency supplies. India sent a dedicated search and rescue team, while Malaysia announced plans to deploy 50 humanitarian workers to affected areas by Sunday.

The United Nations has pledged $5 million in emergency relief funding. Sheela Matthew of the UN World Food Programme stated the disaster has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis. “With one in four in the country already facing acute food insecurity, Myanmar just can’t afford another disaster,” she said.

Since the military seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government in February 2021, Burma has been engulfed in civil conflict. The ongoing turmoil has displaced over 3.5 million people, according to the United Nations.

Major General Zaw Min Tun, a spokesman for the Burmese military, said hospitals in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Naypyidaw are urgently requesting blood donations and medical supplies.

Trump’s announcement underscores the administration’s continued foreign aid priorities amid broader restructuring efforts at USAID. Humanitarian teams are preparing to coordinate logistics with regional partners as the international community intensifies relief efforts.