US secretary of state Marco Rubio has dismissed criticism that the United States failed to respond adequately to the devastating earthquake in Myanmar due to the Trump administration's dismantling of its key humanitarian aid infrastructure.
Facing mounting questions over the absence of a substantial US disaster relief effort, Rubio told the BBC, "We are not the government of the world," while defending the administration's decision to scale back foreign assistance programs.
The 28 March earthquake in Myanmar has claimed over 3,000 lives, with rescue efforts ongoing in difficult conditions. In past disasters, the United States has deployed extensive aid operations, including hundreds of search-and-rescue personnel, dogs, and specialised equipment, often leading international response efforts. This time, however, former USAID officials said the US lacked the capacity to send a full team due to the agency's dismantling under Trump-era reforms.
The shuttering of the United States agency for international development (USAID), spearheaded by billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk through a special unit dubbed the department of government efficiency (Doge), has drawn heavy criticism from former officials and humanitarian experts. They argue the cuts stripped Washington of its ability to respond quickly to emergencies overseas.
Rubio, speaking on the sidelines of a Nato summit in Brussels, acknowledged the US had deployed a small advisory team to the region but cited the difficulties of operating in Myanmar under its military regime. "It's not the easiest place to work. They have a military junta that doesn't like us," he said.
While the state department earlier confirmed that Myanmar had formally requested international assistance , Rubio maintained that even under better conditions, the US had to balance global humanitarian needs with domestic priorities. "We're going to do our part. But there are a lot of other rich countries in the world, they should all be pitching in," he said, pointing specifically to China and India, both of which sent relief teams early in the crisis.
Rubio also pushed back against claims that the Trump administration's policies had left the US unprepared. "These are people that make millions and hundreds of millions of dollars in these NGOs," he said, accusing international aid organisations of wasting taxpayer money. "We are no longer going to spend $10 million, $100 million to get $10 million to recipients. We're not going to fund these global NGOs all over the world that are living off of this."
Former USAID officials told the BBC that logistics contracts had been canceled and key personnel fired, effectively grounding the Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) that would normally be deployed. While the White House reportedly attempted to mobilize such a team, it was unable to do so due to the sweeping cuts.
Critics argue the US has forfeited its leadership role in global humanitarian efforts, with India and China now filling the void in Myanmar. Rubio, however, insisted the US would continue to assist through partners on the ground. "We are prepared to help and work with governments and appropriate NGOs. We will be there, and we will be helpful," he said. "But we're not doing this alone."
Facing mounting questions over the absence of a substantial US disaster relief effort, Rubio told the BBC, "We are not the government of the world," while defending the administration's decision to scale back foreign assistance programs.
The 28 March earthquake in Myanmar has claimed over 3,000 lives, with rescue efforts ongoing in difficult conditions. In past disasters, the United States has deployed extensive aid operations, including hundreds of search-and-rescue personnel, dogs, and specialised equipment, often leading international response efforts. This time, however, former USAID officials said the US lacked the capacity to send a full team due to the agency's dismantling under Trump-era reforms.
The shuttering of the United States agency for international development (USAID), spearheaded by billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk through a special unit dubbed the department of government efficiency (Doge), has drawn heavy criticism from former officials and humanitarian experts. They argue the cuts stripped Washington of its ability to respond quickly to emergencies overseas.
Rubio, speaking on the sidelines of a Nato summit in Brussels, acknowledged the US had deployed a small advisory team to the region but cited the difficulties of operating in Myanmar under its military regime. "It's not the easiest place to work. They have a military junta that doesn't like us," he said.
While the state department earlier confirmed that Myanmar had formally requested international assistance , Rubio maintained that even under better conditions, the US had to balance global humanitarian needs with domestic priorities. "We're going to do our part. But there are a lot of other rich countries in the world, they should all be pitching in," he said, pointing specifically to China and India, both of which sent relief teams early in the crisis.
Rubio also pushed back against claims that the Trump administration's policies had left the US unprepared. "These are people that make millions and hundreds of millions of dollars in these NGOs," he said, accusing international aid organisations of wasting taxpayer money. "We are no longer going to spend $10 million, $100 million to get $10 million to recipients. We're not going to fund these global NGOs all over the world that are living off of this."
Former USAID officials told the BBC that logistics contracts had been canceled and key personnel fired, effectively grounding the Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) that would normally be deployed. While the White House reportedly attempted to mobilize such a team, it was unable to do so due to the sweeping cuts.
Critics argue the US has forfeited its leadership role in global humanitarian efforts, with India and China now filling the void in Myanmar. Rubio, however, insisted the US would continue to assist through partners on the ground. "We are prepared to help and work with governments and appropriate NGOs. We will be there, and we will be helpful," he said. "But we're not doing this alone."
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