We had nothing but each other

With over 25,000 people reached so far, UNICEF’s emergency cash assistance is helping the most vulnerable families meet urgent needs and regain stability after disaster. 

In a dense and busy neighbourhood of Sein Pan, Mandalay, Zin Mar, 50, was preparing lunch while her 18-year-old son, Min Khant, who lives with a physical disability affecting his muscle control, rested on a bamboo mat nearby. Her elderly father sat just outside the doorway. It was a calm afternoon, until the ground began to shake violently beneath them. Within seconds, panic set in. 

"We were so frightened," recalled Zin Mar. "I grabbed my son's hand with one hand and my father's with the other, and we just ran to safety. We couldn't take anything with us." 

For families like Zin Mar's, already living with hardship, the earthquake has deepened existing challenges. Min Khant’s condition has worsened since the traumatic event, with increased muscle tension and more frequent spasms. 

"After the earthquake, his muscles became much more tense because of the fear. The spasms have increased," Zin Mar said, continuing her daily routine of caring for Min and her father, despite their damaged home and uncertain future. 

Across earthquake-affected areas of Myanmar, many families like Zin Mar’s are enduring life without shelter, running water, or reliable electricity while struggling with health conditions that require consistent care. In many communities, aftershocks are still felt almost daily, and the psychological toll is mounting. 

Recognising the urgent needs of the most vulnerable, UNICEF began emergency cash transfers, prioritising families with children and persons with disabilities. In Mandalay and other hard-hit regions, more than 25,000 people have already received cash assistance, with additional registration underway in newly reached villages.  

Each household receives 360,000 kyats (about $85), giving families both flexibility and dignity to decide what they need most. 

“For us, the cash has been crucial,” said Zin Mar. “We saved 200,000 kyats for home repairs and used the rest for daily expenses. With my son’s condition and my father’s illness, every bit helps.” 

For 25-year-old Honey Kyaw, who lost her 13-year-old brother when a brick wall collapsed on him during the earthquake, the cash support offers a small measure of stability amid overwhelming grief. "We were a family of six. My youngest brother died when a brick wall in front of our house collapsed on him during the earthquake," Honey Kyaw said. “My mother has been deeply affected by the loss of her youngest child." 

For Yin Yin, Honey Kyaw's mother, the earthquake brought unimaginable tragedy. Weeks after the funeral, she still struggles to accept the reality of her loss.  

"My son was still so young," she said, her voice breaking.  

The family continues to face daily hardships. “We lost everything to the earthquake,” she said. “We rely on others to distribute water, and we still don’t have electricity. At night, we manage with a single light bulb connected to a neighbour’s power. For food, we depend on whatever we’re given or can scrape together,” she added. 

“Years of conflict and economic instability had already worn down families’ ability to cope – financially, physically, and emotionally,” said Bjorn Gelders, Chief of Social Policy at UNICEF Myanmar. “In sudden-onset emergencies like this, families caring for children with disabilities are often among the most vulnerable – and the most likely to be left behind. That’s why this support is so critical.”

“By placing flexible cash directly in caregivers’ hands, we’re helping them meet urgent needs with dignity and choice, while also supporting local markets and speeding up community recovery.” 

As Myanmar approaches monsoon season, the risks for earthquake-affected families are growing. For those living in damaged homes patched together with temporary repairs, the heavy rains and potential flooding bring new layers of danger – including potentially the complete collapse of already weakened structures. 

“The walls of our home are cracked and unstable,” Honey Kyaw said. “When it rains, water comes in from everywhere, and when there’s an aftershock, we have to run outside because it feels too dangerous to stay in. Once the floods come, I’m afraid the house might fall completely, and we’ll have nothing left. It’s the children I worry about the most.” 

Honey Kyaw’s family is applying part of the UNICEF cash support to reinforce the most vulnerable parts of their home structure. “We’re doing what we can with what we have,” she said, “but monsoon is coming fast.” 

Amid these challenges, UNICEF’s emergency cash assistance is providing a critical buffer for families as they navigate immediate needs and uncertainty. By combining financial support with other humanitarian interventions, UNICEF aims to help families and children with disabilities cope with the ongoing crisis with greater dignity, stability, and choice. 

Back in their damaged home, Zin Mar continues her daily routine of care for Min Khant. Though the earthquake has intensified their struggles, her determination remains unshaken. 

"We'll use the money to repair our home," she said, looking at her son. "For now, we're just grateful to have this support when we needed it most." 

*This story was originally published on the UNICEF Myanmar website.