Slow and Painstaking Recovery Takes Root in Myanmar, Needs Still Immense

Yangon — More than 100 days after the March earthquakes, many families in central Myanmar still remain displaced and continue to face significant recovery needs. The tremors caused widespread destruction, leaving thousands without safe shelters and essential services.  

At a displacement site on the edge of a collapsed village, families continue to face limited privacy and security, with many living in temporary shelters that offer minimal protection from weather conditions such as rain, wind and heat. 

Some families have moved multiple times. Others live next to dangerously leaning structures. With support from neighbours, many have patched together temporary shelters from tarpaulins and salvaged wood. 

During his first official visit to Myanmar, IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Iori Kato, visited some of the earthquake-affected areas and met with some of the displaced communities, IOM field staff and partners. The visit provided first-hand insight into the challenges faced by families and the support required to help them rebuild their lives. 

“This visit gave me the opportunity to understand, on the ground, how families are coping with hardship and how essential it is that our support continues as they begin to rebuild,” said Kato.  

Since the earthquakes, IOM has supported: 

• Over 2,678 individuals with shelter and household items.
• 13,363 people with cash-based support, aiming to reach 109,100.
• 8,946 individuals with access to basic health services where other care is unavailable.
• Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services, protection assessments and mobility support to those most at risk. 

These efforts are made possible through the support of donors and partners. While humanitarian needs remain high, many families still live in temporary shelters, often near structurally unstable buildings, and lack resources to safely repair or reconstruct their homes. 

In addition to emergency assistance, IOM has begun early recovery and resilience assistance, including: 

• Rehabilitation, reconstruction and resumption of essential services, including dignified shelter, health and MHPSS, protection and improved site conditions.
• Emergency livelihoods and socio-economic recovery through cash-for-work, individual livelihood grants and support for social cohesion.
• Community-based preparedness and disaster risk management, including local disaster planning and health emergency preparedness. 

“We are here for the long haul. Recovery isn’t linear, and people’s needs don’t pause,” Kato noted. “The experiences shared with me have reaffirmed our responsibility to support not just rebuilding, but recovery rooted in community and dignity. It was especially meaningful to witness these efforts alongside IOM Myanmar Chief of Mission Daihei Mochizuki and his team, whose leadership and commitment continue to shape our presence and purpose in Myanmar.” 

As humanitarian needs persist, and as the ground continues to shift beneath people’s feet, IOM remains committed to staying close to the communities it serves – helping them move from survival to stability, and eventually, to strength. 

For more information, please contact: 

Daihei Mochizuki, Chief of Mission at IOM Myanmar, DMochizuki@iom.int 

Nang Seng Noung Communication Assistant at IOM Myanmar, nnoung@iom.int  

*This news story was originally published on the IOM Asia Pacific website.