On the ground in Myanmar: Urgent relief after disaster
As part of relief efforts following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar at the end of March, Plan International Myanmar Country Director, Haider Yaqub travelled to Mandalay and was faced with unimaginable devastation. He writes about the reality on the ground, and the resilience he has witnessed.
Entire communities have been reduced to rubble.
Since a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on 28 March, the scale of destruction has been overwhelming. More than 3,000 people are confirmed dead, and millions more have been impacted.
The needs on the ground are immense. Homes, schools, hospitals, roads, water sources, and communication lines have all been badly damaged, leaving communities stranded and vulnerable.
Over the past few days, aftershocks have continued to terrify survivors. In the hardest-hit areas, people’s homes have been completely decimated. Even the buildings that remain standing are too dangerous to enter and many families now face the heartbreaking reality of sleeping outside on the street, just steps away from their former homes.
In one village, I stood before the remnants of what was once a place of prayer, now a flattened ruin. The chilling sight of bodies being pulled from the rubble will stay with me forever.
Tragically, hundreds of people are still missing, and as the window to find survivors closes, communities are in pain and beginning to mourn the loss of loved ones whose whereabouts remain unknown.
The people I have spoken to are still processing the suddenness of this catastrophe. I have met young children in shock, confused about why they’re now living on the street, asking, “Why am I outside?” and “Why can’t I go home?”. Their world has been shattered.
In times of crisis, children face even greater risks. Girls, in particular, are vulnerable to exploitation, violence, being pulled out of school permanently, and to being forced into early marriage. That’s why, beyond providing necessities like food, blankets and clean drinking water, Plan International is also working to ensure that children have safe spaces to learn and play and girls have access to safe and clean sanitation facilities. Mobile toilets, especially for women and girls, are critical in maintaining dignity and protecting them from further harm.
Despite the immense hardship, I have been moved by the resilience of the people here. Amid their tears, they have shared their hopes for the future and their determination to support relief efforts to rebuild their lives and communities. The people I met are desperate to return to work, to restore their homes, and to regain a sense of their normal livelihoods.
While the full extent of the disaster is still unfolding, from my experience in humanitarian response, the effects of a disaster like this will be felt for years. The rebuilding of homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods will take time, and the emotional scars will linger even longer.
And while those impacted are showing staggering resilience in the face of losing everything, this alone is not enough. The people of Myanmar have experienced some of the worst things imaginable, and they need all the support they can get to recover and rebuild.
How is Plan International responding?
The first days after a disaster are critical to saving as many lives as possible. Plan International is on the ground and ready to ensure children are protected in the aftermath of the Myanmar earthquake. With your help, we can provide:
- Food, shelter and warm blankets to families who have lost everything
- Safe water and hygiene kits so communities can maintain their health and dignity
- Safe spaces for children to play and receive emotional care
- Protection for children at risk of violence and abuse
- Support to reconnect children with missing family members
- Counselling support to those who have suffered trauma
- Distribute cash vouchers so families can buy urgent household goods like medicine
- Temporary learning centres and back-to-school kits to minimise the impact on children’s education
*Any donations we receive over and above what’s needed for this emergency will be redirected to our emergency standby fund to allow us to respond quickly and effectively to future humanitarian emergencies. Thank you for your generosity.
Built with Shorthand