U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dismissed criticism that the United States failed to provide meaningful aid following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar. The 7.7-magnitude quake struck the Southeast Asian country on March 28, killing at least 3,354 people, injuring more than 4,500, and leaving hundreds missing.
Rubio refuted claims that cuts to the U.S. humanitarian aid infrastructure under the Trump administration left the country unable to respond effectively. Speaking at a NATO summit in Brussels on Friday, Rubio said, “We are not the government of the world,” emphasizing that other wealthy nations must also step up in global disaster relief efforts.
U.S. Response Criticized After Delayed Deployment
In the aftermath of the quake, former officials from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) told the BBC that the U.S. was unable to deploy its usual Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART). This team often includes over 200 trained rescue workers, sniffer dogs, and specialized equipment for search-and-rescue operations.
The officials blamed the Trump-era dismantling of key USAID operations for the delay, citing that logistical contracts were canceled and experienced personnel were removed under the direction of Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DoGE), a unit tasked with overhauling federal spending.
Rubio Shifts Blame to Myanmar Junta, Global Community
Rubio pushed back on these allegations, pointing to Myanmar’s ruling military junta as a major obstacle to aid delivery. “It’s not the easiest place to work. They have a military government that doesn’t like us,” he said.
Although the U.S. State Department confirmed that Myanmar had formally requested international assistance, Rubio insisted that geopolitical challenges made operations difficult. “That would have impeded our response, no matter what,” he stated.
Rubio also called on other nations, especially economic powers like China and India, to take greater responsibility in regional crises. “There are a lot of rich countries in the world. They should all be pitching in. We’ll do our part—but we’re not doing it alone.”
According to reports, both China and India were among the first countries to send aid teams to Myanmar following the earthquake.
USAID: Once a Leader in Global Disaster Response
Historically, USAID has played a critical role in U.S. disaster relief missions. The agency has responded to major natural disasters across the globe, often with bipartisan support. Former USAID officials argue that the agency’s neutral and non-political reputation enabled it to operate in politically sensitive regions, including those ruled by authoritarian regimes.
But since the Trump administration’s budget cuts and reorganization initiatives, experts say the U.S. has lost its capacity to respond at scale. “This isn’t just about politics,” one former official said. “It’s about logistics, contracts, and trained personnel. That infrastructure no longer exists.”
Rubio Denounces Aid Industry, Says U.S. Will Work Only with Trusted Partners
Rubio was also critical of large non-governmental organizations (NGOs), accusing them of inefficiency and mismanagement of funds. “We’re not going to spend $100 million to get $10 million to the people who need it,” Rubio said. “We’ve stopped funding global NGOs that profit from U.S. taxpayer money.”
Instead, Rubio said the U.S. would support aid efforts through direct collaboration with “trusted governments and appropriate NGOs” already operating in the disaster zone. He emphasized that a small team of U.S. advisors had already been deployed and that further support would follow.
“We will be there. We will help. But this time, others need to step up too.”
Impact on Myanmar and International Aid Coordination
The earthquake has left thousands without shelter and access to clean water or medical services. With many roads and infrastructure destroyed, international coordination remains a challenge. Relief organizations such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have called for urgent funding and assistance.
As of April 5, Myanmar’s military leadership confirmed the death toll at 3,354, with 220 still unaccounted for. The government has requested both financial support and direct aid from the global community.
The U.S. response to the Myanmar earthquake has sparked a broader debate about America’s role in global humanitarian missions. While Secretary Rubio stands by the administration’s scaled-back approach, aid experts warn that the dismantling of USAID has reduced the U.S.’s capacity to provide timely, life-saving support.
As Myanmar reels from the worst natural disaster in recent memory, the international spotlight turns not only to the scale of destruction—but also to the fractured systems meant to help.
