Junta Gives Only 1.8 Million Kyats per Victim Despite Receiving Billions in Earthquake Donations

By Mg Dagon / MPA

Myanmar’s military junta has begun distributing compensation to families of earthquake victims in Mandalay and Sagaing regions, offering amounts far lower than expected despite receiving billions in donations.

At a National Natural Disaster Management Committee (NNDMC) meeting on April 25, the junta’s deputy leader revealed that the regime had received over 115 billion kyats, along with millions in foreign currency, from domestic and international donors.

In Mandalay, financial and material aid was distributed at Ba Htoo Stadium in Chan Aye Thar Zan Township. Families of the 2,152 deceased each received a total of 1.8 million kyats—comprising 1 million kyats from the Natural Disaster Management Committee, 500,000 kyats from the junta’s regional administration, and 300,000 kyats from the Disaster Management Department—amounting to more than 3.87 billion kyats in total disbursements.

Additionally, 137,081 survivors in Mandalay Region were given a month’s worth of rice, oil, salt, beans, and fish paste, valued at nearly 7.26 billion kyats.

“Only those who have nothing left would go to collect it. Just looking at the photos they released makes it obvious,” said a Mandalay resident.

“Middle-class people would be ashamed to take such a small amount. Worse, they’ll be recorded for life. Those who go later might have no choice.”

At the aid distribution ceremony, junta-appointed Mandalay Region Chief Minister Myo Aung stated that housing damage assessments are still ongoing.

Meanwhile, in Sagaing Region, families of the 546 deceased were given only 1 million kyats each.

“We didn’t even know about the aid. Some might go to collect it, but the amount is very small,” a Sagaing resident said.

No assistance has reached earthquake victims in resistance-held areas of Sagaing, leaving many in severe hardship.

Earlier, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing had allocated emergency funds totaling 60 billion kyats for Mandalay, 50 billion for Sagaing, 10 billion for Nay Pyi Taw, and 5 billion for Shan State.

According to Deputy Chief Soe Win, as of Thursday, donations received by the regime totaled 115.876 billion kyats, along with $2.437 million USD, 5 million Korean won, 15 million Indian rupees, 2 million Thai baht, and 3,150 Singapore dollars.