Why U.S. Leadership in Crisis Response Matters More Than Ever

April 2, 2025 - A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar last Friday, claiming over 2,700 lives and leaving thousands more injured or displaced. In a nation already burdened by civil conflict since 2021, the disaster triggered a rare and temporary ceasefire—scheduled to last until April 22—as both government and opposition forces shift focus toward emergency response.

This humanitarian emergency lays bare a sobering reality: while natural disasters are sudden, the devastation they cause is often worsened by long-standing challenges like poverty, political instability, and underdeveloped infrastructure. In Myanmar’s case, access to clean water is dangerously limited, health systems are overwhelmed, and many rural areas remain unreachable. In these moments, the ability to respond quickly and effectively, often with international support, can make the difference between stability and chaos.

But it’s not about the U.S. footing the bill. American leadership in global development today is not about endless handouts it’s about strategic investment and empowering countries to stand on their own. Our foreign assistance, now administered primarily through the State Department, is being restructured so it is targeted and results-driven, designed to build self-sufficiency in partner nations while advancing American security, trade, and economic interests.

As we’ve seen time and again, fragile states left to spiral unchecked can become breeding grounds for extremism, mass displacement, and regional instability. By helping vulnerable countries build stronger institutions, prepare for emergencies, and strengthen local economies, we create a more stable international environment without asking American taxpayers to bear the brunt indefinitely.

Myanmar’s current crisis should not just inspire sympathy it should reaffirm a smarter foreign policy approach: one that delivers accountability, returns on investment, and shared responsibility. U.S. aid efforts aren’t about solving every global problem. They’re about protecting American interests while helping nations help themselves.

Source

 To learn more about supporting U.S. foreign policy that advances humanitarian goals while improving national security and economic stability in the United States visit borgenproject.org.

Max Kurzweil is a junior at Muhlenberg College, class of 2027, pursuing a double major in Political Science and Business Administration. He previously served as a Political Affairs Intern and Ambassador for The Borgen Project, where he supported initiatives focused on poverty reduction and sustainable development as part of a balanced approach to American foreign policy and global engagement. He will begin serving as a Regional Director with The Borgen Project in January 2026.