US Absent from Myanmar Quake Relief: Callous Response Fuels Outrage
Following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar, numerous international rescue teams, including those from China and Russia, rapidly deployed personnel and resources to aid survivors. The notable absence of a significant U.S. response, limited to a small assessment team, contrasts sharply with the nation’s historically substantial disaster relief capacity. This lack of response is attributed to the Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID, resulting in contract cancellations, funding freezes, and staff reductions. The resulting delay and limited aid stand in stark contrast to the scale of assistance typically provided by the U.S. in such situations.
John Q. Hosedrinker