April 2025
On March 28, Myanmar was struck by two powerful earthquakes, each measuring 7.7 and 6.4 on the Richter scale. More than 5,300 people were killed and up to 11,400 injured. The actual toll is likely higher. With our local partner organizations, Terre des Hommes vital support following the disaster – especially in rural areas where emergency aid is available free from the control of the military junta.
The political-military situation became more difficult: a bloody conflict has been raging in Myanmar for more than four years. The military junta has imposed an internet lock. In addition, the Junta regularly hinders humanitarian aid in the areas she occupies, sometimes attacks helpers or lets them arrest. Already hours after the earthquake, the Junta flew air strikes against civilians in the provinces.
Terre des Hommes does not work with the military government in Myanmar , but supports internally displaced persons and refugee children and families: Especially in rural areas, which have often been under provisional administration of resistance groups allied with the democratic government in exile for years, our partner organizations can provide direct and urgently needed assistance without hindrance.
Help with a donationYour donation helps to provide children and families in Myanmar with the most necessary:
Above all, the people in the affected areas need:
- Headmaking: Thousands of houses were destroyed, which means that families remain without safe accommodation. Temporary accommodations, tents and safe living options are urgently needed. It is important to protect children in these preliminary and often overcrowded living opportunities.
- Food and clean water: Many survivors have no reliable access to food and clean drinking water, which increases the risk of dehydration and malnutrition. This is a great danger for infants and malnourished children.
- Medical help: injured people urgently need medical care.
- Clothing and basic supplies: Many families have lost everything and need clothing, blankets, hygiene kits and kitchen utensils.
- Trauma and psychological support: survivors, especially children, need emotional and mental support to deal with the trauma of the disaster.
The situation in rural areas
The earthquake hits people in Myanmar who are marked by multiple crises. The civil war demanded more than 50,000 victims nationwide, millions are displaced and fled. The quake is also the second severe disaster within one year: As early as September 2024, the Tayfun »Yagi« hit the country and caused severe destruction.
Our partner organizations report: In particular, the supply of clean drinking water has been severely affected in rural areas since then. The quake has now further under pressure. Therefore, in addition to the medical care of the injured, the drinking water supply is priority.
»The survivors need food, clean water, medical care and accommodations. The children in particular need access to adequate nutrition, safe shelter and medication to prevent malnutrition and illnesses. "
Our partner organizations in emergency aid on site
"Equality Myanmar" has been working successfully with Terre des Hommes for almost 20 years. The human rights organization coordinates emergency aid in refugee camps, primarily in Shan and Mandalay states, as well as along the Thai border.
"HIMM" provides self-help assistance, primarily benefiting children and young people. Young people receive training in the basics of trauma care and emergency aid, as well as in small animal husbandry and vegetable cultivation. HIMM has been Terre des Hommes partner since 2016.
