US Stands on Sidelines After Myanmar Earthquake as USAID Cuts Cripple Response
The United States has faced criticism for its delayed and minimal response to the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, with former senior officials blaming sweeping USAID cuts for America’s absence during the crucial rescue window.
The 7.7-magnitude quake that struck Myanmar last Friday has left over 2,700 people dead, more than 4,500 injured, and hundreds still missing. In the past, such disasters would have triggered a swift and large-scale deployment of American rescue teams. This time, however, “America was not there,” said former USAID mission director Chris Milligan.
‘Rescue Window Missed’
According to multiple former USAID leaders, the US failed to mobilize its Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) — elite units trained for urgent rescue missions — due to agency-wide dismantling and staff layoffs orchestrated under President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk, who has overseen the shutdown of the agency through the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).
“This is the first time I can remember the US being completely absent after a disaster of this magnitude,” said Jeremy Konyndyk, who once led USAID’s foreign disaster response. “The window for saving lives is short — and we missed it.”
In contrast, past DART deployments like the one to the Turkey-Syria earthquake in 2023 included over 200 personnel, sniffer dogs, and specialist rescue gear flown in from Virginia and California. But this time, logistics contracts had been canceled, and staff with expertise had already been placed on administrative leave or terminated.
Just Three Advisers Sent
Instead of deploying a rescue team, the State Department confirmed that just three advisers were being sent to Myanmar — not for search-and-rescue, but to assess needs and liaise with NGOs. A $2 million donation has been allocated to humanitarian partners, a figure former officials say is a fraction of previous relief efforts.
Chaos Amid Cuts
Insiders described chaos within the agency. On the day the quake hit, staff in USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance — the key team behind emergency missions — were told to leave by 1 p.m. amid mass layoffs. “They had no foresight,” said Milligan. “People were let go just as a crisis erupted.”
According to Konyndyk, even if the administration wanted to restart operations, “the people who can sign the contracts and deploy teams have already been fired.”
State Department Denies Impact
The State Department denies that aid cuts compromised disaster response, claiming it is still delivering impact through NGO partners. “This doesn’t need to look like the old USAID model to be successful,” said spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.
But critics say that’s unrealistic. “You can’t extract people from rubble virtually,” Konyndyk said. “You need boots on the ground, and we no longer have them.”
A Shift in Global Leadership?
Milligan warned that the consequences extend beyond Myanmar. “This is what happens when the United States chooses to be a weaker player on the world stage. We’re leaving room for China and others to fill that gap.”
While the State Department insists it will continue to assess and support Myanmar, it also confirmed it would not deploy a DART team and would rely instead on local and regional partners.
With over 50 countries affected by the freeze in USAID operations, the Myanmar earthquake could become a grim symbol of America’s retreat from global humanitarian leadership
