OCHA Myanmar: Earthquake Response Situation Report No. 3

HIGHLIGHTS

• Three weeks after the earthquakes, frequent strong aftershocks continue to shake central Myanmar almost daily, increasing fear and uncertainty among affected families, disrupting response efforts, and further exacerbating the pressure on already limited resources and services.
• Emergency shelter, cash assistance, safe and clean water, sanitation support, food and healthcare are immediate needs for the affected populations, while more sustained support for livelihoods, education, and essential infrastructure repair is crucial for early recovery.
• Supporting local responders and communities, humanitarian organisations continue to deliver life-saving assistance to affected communities. Technical-level assessments are underway to inform a more targeted response.
• Despite these efforts, the scale and urgency of the emergency exceed the current response capacity, with the needs of the affected people rapidly outpacing available resources.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Three weeks after catastrophic twin earthquakes hit Myanmar on 28 March, the worst-affected communities are still without safe shelter, clean water and sanitation, stable electricity, healthcare and essential services. The compounding effects of the disaster on already vulnerable communities–many of whom have been grappling with pervasive conflict, poor infrastructure, and limited services–are severe. Living conditions have deteriorated sharply, with thousands of people continuing to sleep in the open, exposed to adverse weather condition and the risk of venomous insect and snake bites. To date, 3,700 deaths have been reported, 4,800 people injured and 129 people remain missing, according to the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre). The real toll is likely much higher, with challenges in data collection, verification and processing and underreporting making it difficult to grasp the full scale of the disaster. The psychological toll is mounting, particularly among children and vulnerable groups, who face the uncertainty of prolonged displacement amid aftershocks, untimely rains and extreme heat.

Central Myanmar continues to experience frequent seismic activity almost daily. Since the destructive quakes, more than 140 aftershocks have been recorded, including two with 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude tremors near Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory and Wundwin Town on 29 March and 13 April, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. The United States Geological Survey indicates that aftershocks may persist for months following a major earthquake, especially in tectonically active regions like Myanmar.

The earthquakes struck at a critical time, during what is usually the driest month and pre-monsoon season, and in regions central to Myanmar’s agricultural economy. These hardest-hit areas contribute about one-third of the country’s cereal production, four-fifths of its maize output, and are home to nearly two-thirds of the national cattle and buffalo population. Livelihoods have been upended as widespread damage to farmland and essential infrastructure threatens food production ahead of the monsoon and other income-generating businesses.

Damage to water systems has left communities without safe drinking water, forcing reliance on unsafe sources and heightening the risk of waterborne diseases. The loss of functioning health infrastructure has left many communities without access to basic healthcare, while overcrowded displacement sites and reliance on untreated water sources have heightened the risk of water-borne and hygiene-preventable disease. Malnutrition remains a pressing concern, especially among children, as disruptions to supply chains and services have affected the availability of life-saving nutrition support. Within the education system numerous schools were damaged or rendered unusable. With the school year set to resume in early June, the reopening of schools will require clearing debris, setting up temporary learning spaces, repairs to classrooms, and restoring access to clean water, functioning toilets, and basic hygiene facilities.

Humanitarian organisations continue working to deliver life-saving assistance to affected communities, supporting local responders. In the first 10 days that followed the disaster, over 240,000 people were reached with essential supplies and food assistance. Emergency food distributions began within 48 hours, with at least 70,000 people reached in Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Sagaing and southern Shan. Over 100 tonnes of medical supplies have arrived, and mobile health teams are providing trauma care, essential medicines and psychosocial support. Local partners are being supported to address rising health risks, including most affected areas. Despite these efforts, the scale and urgency of the disaster demand far greater action, resources and access.