Nay Pyi Taw-April 17, 2025 – The State Administration Council (SAC) has granted amnesty to 4,893 prisoners in commemoration of the Myanmar New Year, according to an official announcement made on the morning of April 17, 2025 — Myanmar New Year Day.

In addition to local inmates, 13 foreign nationals serving sentences in Myanmar were also granted pardons and subsequently deported.

A separate order issued by the SAC stated that inmates currently serving prison terms in various prisons, detention centers, and camps were granted a remission of one-sixth of their remaining sentences. The sentence reduction was authorized under Section 401, Sub-section (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

However, the amnesty explicitly excludes individuals convicted of serious offenses. Crimes not eligible for pardon include murder, rape, violations under the Explosive Substances Act, the Unlawful Associations Act, Section 19(c) of the 1878 Arms Act, the 1949 Emergency Provisions Act, the 1951 Temporary Provisions Amendment Act, the 1924 Shan State Arms Order, the 2023 Arms Law, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, the Natural Disaster Management Law, the Counter-Terrorism Law, and the Anti-Corruption Law.

According to all three official orders issued by the SAC, the decision to grant amnesty was made in honor of the auspicious Myanmar New Year. The move aims to promote social harmony, foster public peace of mind, and reflect the state’s compassion and goodwill toward the people.

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Yangon, 16 April 2025 – A Japanese physician who provided medical assistance to survivors of the recent devastating earthquake in Myanmar has appealed to the international community to continue offering support, as the region continues to struggle with the aftermath.

Dr. Igarashi Yutaka, a physician from the Advanced Critical Care Center of Nippon Medical School Hospital in Japan, made the appeal during an interview with Japanese public broadcaster NHK.

Dr. Igarashi arrived in Mandalay on April 4 as part of Japan’s emergency disaster relief team. During his mission, he provided urgent medical care to individuals who suffered injuries such as bone fractures caused by building collapses and rescue operations.

“Some people were unable to seek immediate medical attention because they were preoccupied with taking care of their families,” Dr. Igarashi said. “It was only after their injuries worsened that they came to receive treatment.”

According to Dr. Igarashi, many residents in Mandalay are still living outdoors more than two weeks after the quake, exposing them to cold weather and increasing the risk of infectious diseases such as diarrhea. He also reported a rise in chronic pain cases, particularly lower back and leg pain, among survivors.

His team treated over 100 patients per day, and he noted that some individuals who lost loved ones are also in need of psychological support.

Despite the withdrawal of some foreign medical teams, Dr. Igarashi emphasized the continued need for international aid until local medical institutions can resume normal operations.

Japan has dispatched a second disaster relief team consisting of 37 members, who arrived in Yangon on Sunday following the completion of Dr. Igarashi’s mission.

The Japanese government has pledged approximately $6 million in emergency grant aid to assist the victims. Additionally, the Nippon Foundation has announced it will provide around $3 million (approximately 450 million yen) in emergency assistance.

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Yangon, 15 April 2025  - The powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that recently struck Myanmar has left behind an estimated 2.5 million tons of debris—equivalent to approximately 125,000 truckloads—according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Yangon.

The damage assessment, conducted through advanced remote sensing technology, revealed extensive destruction across affected areas. In a press release, UNDP Myanmar highlighted that more than 10,000 homes and public buildings have been either significantly damaged or completely destroyed. Additionally, 128 healthcare facilities have sustained major damage, severely hampering the delivery of critical medical services to those in need.

UNDP noted that approximately 1.6 million buildings are located in zones exposed to seismic intensity level 7 or higher. Many of these structures were not built to withstand such powerful tremors, raising concerns about future earthquake resilience.

To carry out the assessment, UNDP integrated satellite-derived building damage classifications—categorized as destroyed, damaged, or possibly damaged—using data from UNOSAT and Copernicus. These were further combined with Microsoft’s building footprint data and structural data from the Global Human Settlement Layer, including building height and floor counts.

The organization emphasized the urgent need to begin large-scale recovery operations. Debris clearance is considered a critical first step in rebuilding infrastructure and homes, as well as restoring essential services. “With the data now available, rapid recovery efforts must begin immediately,” the UNDP stated.

The United Nations is working closely with both national authorities and international partners to support Myanmar’s earthquake response. UNDP stressed that timely debris removal and reconstruction efforts will be essential for long-term recovery and building greater resilience against future natural disasters.

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YANGON, 15 April 2025 -Medical teams from India and Russia, deployed to assist victims of the recent earthquake in Mandalay Region, officially concluded their humanitarian operations and departed on April 14, according to an official statement.

The Indian contingent, led by Lt. Col. Jagneet Gill of the Indian Army Medical Corps, had been operating a temporary hospital at the old airport site in Chanmyathazi Township. Simultaneously, the Russian Search and Rescue and Medical Team, headed by Major General Sergey Voroutsov, provided medical care from a field hospital set up at the Mandalar Thiri Sports Ground.

During their mission, the teams delivered vital medical services and emergency treatment to those affected by the disaster.

A departure ceremony was held to mark the end of their operations, attended by the Chief Minister of Mandalay Region, senior military officials from the Commander-in-Chief (Army) of the Defense Services, and other relevant personnel. Commemorative certificates and souvenirs were exchanged as a gesture of appreciation for the teams' support.

Authorities expressed deep gratitude to both countries for their timely assistance and solidarity during a critical period

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YANGON, 14 April 2025 — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended Thingyan and Myanmar New Year greetings, expressing solidarity and hope for the people of Myanmar in the wake of recent hardships.

In a message shared through the official Facebook page of the U.S. Embassy in Yangon, Secretary Rubio conveyed warm wishes, stating:

“Thingyan is a time to reflect on the past and look forward to a brighter future. This year, we are united amid the sorrow and devastation brought upon so many in the aftermath of the March 28 earthquake.”

He reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Myanmar, noting that the U.S. will continue working alongside the international community to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance and support recovery efforts.

“The spirit of Thingyan reminds us of the possibility of renewal and the hope for a better tomorrow,” Rubio said. “We remain committed to supporting those working to restore Burma’s path to democracy and will continue to collaborate on peace and security in the region.”

In his statement, Secretary Rubio referred to the country as “Burma”, reflecting longstanding U.S. government usage of the country’s former name in official contexts.

His message comes at a time when Myanmar is still grappling with the aftermath of the recent earthquake, which caused widespread damage and loss of life, particularly in central regions. International relief and reconstruction efforts remain ongoing

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April 13, 2025

Nay Pyi Taw — The traditional Myanmar Maha Thingyan Festival for the Myanmar calendar year 1386 began nationwide today, marked by cultural reverence and peaceful observance. This year’s celebrations, held under the theme “Peaceful Thingyan,” are being conducted in line with Myanmar’s customs and traditions, emphasizing harmony and spiritual reflection.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) and Prime Minister, along with his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, attended the official opening ceremony at the Naypyitaw Mayor’s Thingyan Pavilion. The couple was joined by Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and his wife, SAC members, Union-level officials, and senior military officers.

In keeping with tradition, festival-goers engaged in the symbolic sprinkling of water using Thapyay leaves, a customary practice believed to wash away the misfortunes of the past year and usher in blessings for the new year. The celebration also included a demonstration of Thanaka application—a distinctive feature of Myanmar’s cultural heritage. The Senior General and his wife participated in the demonstration, underscoring national efforts to have Thanaka recognized as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The delegation also presented gifts to senior citizens and observed traditional rituals such as ceremonial hair washing, nail trimming, and the distribution of Satuditha meals—free communal offerings symbolizing merit-making and compassion.

Last year, the Maha Thingyan Festival was officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. However, in light of the recent Mandalay earthquake on March 28, this year’s festivities are being conducted without entertainment programs, music, or dancing. Authorities have chosen to observe a more subdued and respectful version of Thingyan, focusing on cultural preservation and national solidarity during a time of mourning and recovery.

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