On 28th March, Myanmar was struck by a powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter Scale. The earthquake is one of the most powerful earthquakes to strike the region in recent history. It has claimed thousands of lives to date, and the number is feared to rise as the impact unfolds. Damaged and destroyed key infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and hospitals, as well as a lack of electricity have made it difficult to determine the full extent of the damage, and deliver aid to the most affected communities.
This devastating earthquake has left families without homes, food, clean water or safe shelter. People are sleeping outside in searing temperatures. Many are injured. All are afraid. They’ve lost everything they knew, and they need urgent support to survive the coming days.
The earthquake compounds an already dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar, where nearly 20 million people need assistance across the country, including more than 3.5 million people already displaced from their homes.
“The destruction is immense - homes, possessions, and lives have been lost. Many buildings have crumbled, and even those still standing are too dangerous to enter. Aftershocks continue to terrify residents, leaving families with no choice but to sleep on the streets. I’ve met children in shock, asking ‘why am I outside?’ and ‘why aren’t I in my house?’. As children have barely started processing the tragedy they find themselves in, the biggest fear from people I spoke to is that their life will never be the same.”- Haider Yaqub, Country Director for Plan International in Myanmar.
As the dust settles, the challenges faced by those impacted by this disaster are far from over. The damage is deep and long lasting and so many have been left with nothing. Children and families have witnessed the loss and destruction of their homes. Communities have been ripped apart.
But, with your help, we will be there – now, in the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes – and in the coming weeks and months, long after the initial shocks have gone. Your donation today really will make a difference.
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