MYANMAR EARTHQUAKE – OUR TEAMS ARE RESPONDING TO SUPPORT CHILDREN
A devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar on 28 March, causing destruction as far as Thailand and elsewhere in the region. It is the strongest earthquake to hit Myanmar in a century. At least 3,700 people are reported to have died and further 4,800 people left injured, although the real figures are likely much higher, with challenges in data collection and underreporting making it difficult to grasp the full scale of the disaster.
One month after the earthquake, more than 40,000 people, including children, are living in tents and other makeshift shelters.
“The nightmare is far from over for children in Myanmar. Many are living in temporary shelters that are inadequate in the long term. Communities are also concerned about how they will repair important buildings including schools ahead of the annual monsoon, or rainy season, which will bring with it more challenges for families who are already struggling.” said Jeremy Stoner, Acting Asia Regional Director at Save the Children. This was the first earthquake I had ever experienced. It was terrifying.
Every donation you give will make a difference.
YOUR$120 GIFT could provide an essential items kit that includes basic household items and kitchen sets for a displaced family
Save the Children is working around the clock, responding alongside local partners, to protect children and their families. We’re distributing food and water to impacted communities and working to provide personal hygiene kits and child friendly recreational materials. We have more stocks prepositioned across the country, that are ready to be distributed in the coming days and weeks. This includes kits containing blankets, tarpaulin for makeshift shelters and learning materials for children. With our local partner, we have started emergency health care and first aid medical services to support impacted communities. Our teams have also started provided mental health and psychosocial support to children who are experiencing fear and shock after the earthquake.
When children are at their most vulnerable, Save the Children is there. We are among the first organisations to deliver life-saving support for children and their families. Our Children's Emergency Fund allows us to respond wherever the need is greatest. It helps us to reach children quickly with the essentials they need to survive.
Please donate today to children in crisis.
Save the Children’s Work in Myanmar and Thailand
Save the Children has been working in Myanmar since 1995 and in Thailand since 1984 and is ready to act alongside local partners. Over the coming days and weeks, we will work alongside local partners to scale up critical support to children across the worst impacted areas. While we’re working around the clock to finalise our response plan, activities are likely to include:
- Distributing the prepositioned essential emergency relief items, to families who have lost their homes and belongings
- Providing cash to families so they can buy food, medicine and other essentials
- Ensuring families can keep clean, healthy and protected from illness and diseases by providing access to clean water, essential hygiene and sanitation items and health services
- Providing psychological support to children and their caregivers to help them overcome the traumatic experience they’ve been through
- Setting up safe spaces for children where they can play, receive emotional support, restore a sense of normality and just be children again
- Providing essential case management support for children directly affected by the crisis to ensure their recovery, wellbeing and safety.
- Supporting children to continue learning, by distributing learning materials and setting up safe learning environments if needed.
WHY DONATE TO THE CHILDREN'S EMERGENCY FUND?
Our Children's Emergency Fund is a central pot of funding for emergencies. It gives us the flexibility to respond quickly and wherever the need is greatest.
With every year that goes by, crises become more frequent, last longer and affect more people. There are now twice as many natural disasters as there were 20 years ago. The needs are huge, but so is our determination to reach every last child in crisis. We have the experience to limit the effects of disasters on children's lives – and our Children's Emergency Fund is the key to unlocking this expertise. Thanks to your support, we've helped millions of children in their darkest hour.
Please give to our Children's Emergency Fund today. Your donation will allow our response teams to protect children better, faster and for longer.
