Published: 14:52, March 29, 2025 | Updated: 17:15, March 29, 2025
China to provide Myanmar with 100m yuan in emergency humanitarian aid
By Xinhua and Jiang Chenglong
Relief supplies from China arrive at the Yangon International Airport to help in the earthquake-affected areas of Myanmar, on March 29, 2025. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

BEIJING – China will provide earthquake-stricken Myanmar with 100 million yuan (approximately $13.9 million) in emergency humanitarian aid to support its earthquake relief efforts, the China International Development Cooperation Agency said on Saturday.

The announcement came a day after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, resulting in significant casualties and property damage.

At the request of the Myanmar government, China will also send two rescue teams and supply tents, blankets, first-aid kits, food and drinking water – items that are urgently needed in affected areas, said spokesperson for the agency Li Ming.

READ MORE: Myanmar quake death toll tops 1,000 amid frantic rescue efforts

The first batch of supplies is scheduled for delivery on Monday, according to the agency. China will offer further assistance based on Myanmar's needs, it added.

China dispatched a search and rescue team to Myanmar’s earthquake-stricken areas on Saturday morning.

Relief supplies from China are being loaded onto a truck at the Yangon International Airport to help in the earthquake-affected areas of Myanmar, on March 29, 2025. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

According to the Ministry of Emergency Management, the rescue team has already departed from Beijing on a chartered Air China flight heading to the disaster areas.

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According to a news release from the Ministry of Emergency Management, the Chinese rescue team consists of 82 members.

An 82-member Chinese rescue team, carrying rescue equipment and supplies, departs from the Beijing Capital International Airport aboard a chartered Air China flight on March 29, 2025. (PHOTO / MINISTRY OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT)

They are equipped with rescue gear and materials to make every effort to assist Myanmar in emergency rescue and relief efforts, it said.

Meanwhile, a group of 16 Chinese volunteers set off for the quake-hit Myanmar on Saturday morning to provide assistance in disaster relief and rescue efforts.

The volunteers, all experienced members of the Blue Sky Rescue team — a Chinese civil relief squad — departed from Ruili City in Southwest China's Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar, at around 9:30 am.

Members of the Blue Sky Rescue Team, a Chinese civil relief squad, gather before leaving for Myanmar at a land port in Ruili, Southwest China's Yunnan province, March 29, 2025. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
An 82-member Chinese rescue team, carrying rescue equipment and supplies, departs from the Beijing Capital International Airport aboard a chartered Air China flight on March 29, 2025. (PHOTO / MINISTRY OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT)

Equipped with emergency relief supplies, including first aid kits, power generation and lighting facilities, and demolition tools, they traveled in a convoy of five vehicles.

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"We are the first team and will be followed by a second and a third team," said Gao Hengyi, head of the Ruili branch of BSR.

They followed a 37-member rescue team sent by Yunnan province, which arrived in Myanmar earlier on Saturday morning.