Material Shortages Hamper Myanmar Earthquake Recovery

Myanmar Earthquake Recovery is stalled by severe shortages of construction materials like cement and steel, driven by disaster damage and military-imposed trade barriers. Discover how rising costs and supply chain issues are affecting rebuilding efforts.”

Myanmar, already grappling with political unrest and economic stagnation under military rule, now faces another daunting challenge — rebuilding after a recent earthquake. The quake, which struck central Myanmar earlier this month, caused widespread damage to infrastructure, homes, schools, and hospitals. But while communities are eager to recover, the reconstruction process has been severely hampered by an acute scarcity of construction materials, driven by both natural disaster disruptions and pre-existing trade barriers imposed by the military regime.

Earthquake Aftermath: A Country in Need of Rapid Reconstruction

The earthquake, which measured 6.8 on the Richter scale, left thousands of buildings damaged or destroyed across regions including Mandalay, Magway, and parts of the Sagaing region. Immediate reports from local organizations and aid groups highlighted the extent of the devastation, with villages flattened, bridges cracked, and water systems rendered inoperative.

Ordinarily, rebuilding efforts would begin within days, supported by both local contractors and international aid agencies. However, this time, the efforts have been agonizingly slow. The reason is clear: construction materials are either unavailable or unaffordable for most citizens and local governments.

Soaring Prices: Cement, Steel, and Bricks Become Luxury Items

In the days following the quake, the prices of essential construction supplies such as cement, steel rods, bricks, and roofing sheets skyrocketed. Cement, which previously cost around 8,000 kyats per bag, is now selling for upwards of 15,000 kyats in some regions — almost double. Steel has seen a similar spike, with prices rising more than 60% within weeks. Bricks, timber, and galvanized roofing sheets are also in short supply, and when available, come at steep prices.

This inflation is attributed to a sharp increase in demand post-earthquake coupled with long-standing supply chain restrictions. Import bans and military-controlled checkpoints at borders have significantly throttled the flow of goods into the country since 2023. These barriers have not only limited imports of raw materials but also increased transportation costs and delays. Traders and contractors report that bringing in even small loads of cement or steel from neighboring countries like Thailand or China now requires navigating a maze of paperwork, unofficial payments, and inspection bottlenecks.

Military Trade Barriers: A Pre-Existing Crisis Deepens

Since the 2021 military coup, Myanmar’s economy has been in a state of disruption. In an effort to tighten control over the country’s trade and finances, the junta imposed a series of protectionist trade policies beginning in 2023. These include restrictions on foreign currency usage, import licensing hurdles, and military oversight at key border trade points.

While these measures were initially intended to conserve foreign reserves and promote local industries, they have backfired spectacularly in the wake of natural disaster. Myanmar’s domestic production of construction materials, which was already insufficient to meet national demand, cannot scale quickly enough to meet the sudden surge triggered by earthquake damage.

Local factories, many of which operate below capacity due to electricity shortages and labor flight, cannot produce materials in the quantities or quality required for rebuilding. Moreover, regional disparities further exacerbate the problem: areas most affected by the quake are often the most underserved by domestic supply chains, increasing their reliance on expensive imported alternatives.

Impact on Citizens and Aid Efforts

For ordinary citizens, especially those in rural or semi-urban areas, the scarcity of materials translates to longer periods in unsafe or makeshift shelters. Families are unable to repair their homes or schools before the start of the monsoon season, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases and exposure-related illnesses.

Aid groups and NGOs working in Myanmar also face serious challenges. International organizations often rely on importing high-quality building materials to meet safety standards in reconstruction. With import restrictions and supply shortages, even well-funded groups are forced to scale down or delay their rebuilding efforts.

One aid coordinator working in Magway region noted: “We have the funds and the manpower, but we can’t access the materials. Local vendors don’t have enough supply, and bringing in shipments from abroad is taking weeks longer than expected.”

Contractors and Small Businesses Struggle for Myanmar Earthquake Recovery

Local construction businesses, which could have played a key role in recovery, are also in a precarious position. Without stable access to materials, many contractors have paused operations or drastically increased their rates, pricing out potential clients. The shortage has created a cascade effect, with laborers, carpenters, and masons also seeing reduced income as construction projects stall.

A contractor from Mandalay expressed frustration: “We want to help rebuild homes and schools, but without cement or steel, we’re stuck. Even if we find materials, the price has doubled. How can we quote a fair price to clients who just lost everything in the quake?”

Potential Solutions: Policy Shifts and International Engagement

Experts suggest that easing trade restrictions, even temporarily, could dramatically improve the situation. Allowing the import of essential construction materials through expedited customs processes and waiving certain fees could help stabilize prices and improve supply.

International pressure is also mounting. Several NGOs and donor countries have urged the military-led government to allow humanitarian corridors for the import of building materials and other relief goods. Without such cooperation, the risk is that communities will remain vulnerable for months, or even years, to come.

However, with the military junta’s history of prioritizing control over humanitarian needs, the path forward remains uncertain. Some speculate that informal trade routes — including black markets and cross-border smuggling — may become the primary lifeline for materials in the absence of formal policy changes.

The Human Cost of Policy Failure: Myanmar Earthquake Recovery

At the heart of this crisis are the people — thousands of families who now find themselves trapped between the trauma of a natural disaster and the barriers of a man-made economic and political crisis. Their ability to rebuild homes, schools, and livelihoods depends not only on materials but on political will.

Unless immediate action is taken to ease material flows and stabilize prices, the earthquake’s aftershocks will continue to be felt not just in terms of physical damage, but through prolonged suffering and delayed recovery. In a country already burdened by conflict and displacement, the scarcity of construction materials may well become one of the most enduring scars left behind by this disaster.

Myanmar Earthquake Recovery Conclusion

The road to Myanmar Earthquake Recovery is proving to be far more challenging than it should be. While the destruction caused by the tremor is significant, the greater obstacle lies in a supply chain crippled by policy and politics. Rebuilding lives and communities demands more than bricks and steel — it requires a commitment from those in power to prioritize people over control. Until then, path to Myanmar Earthquake Recovery remains painfully slow, uncertain, and costly.