Story of Thet: How Humanitarian Aid Restores the Hope and Dignity for Women and Girls affected by Myanmar Earthquake

As the devastating earthquake shattered homes in Sagaing, Thet, a 38-year-old expectant mother, stood among the debris that had once formed her family’s humble home. The 7.7 magnitude earthquake had stolen everything—her home, her sense of security, and tragically, her husband. With a baby due in just a few months and her ten-year-old son by her side, the relentless anxiety for their future consumed her every waking moment.

“I experienced the earthquake while cooking lunch for my family. Being pregnant, running out of the collapsing house was nearly impossible,” Thet recounted, her voice trembling. “My husband didn’t make it. I no longer feel safe. Every day, I worry about my soon-to-arrive baby and my young son.”

The earthquake left thousands of families displaced across Mandalay and Sagaing, with women bearing the brunt of the catastrophe. Suddenly deprived of basic hygiene items, dignity supplies, and safe shelter, women and girls faced unimaginable hardships. “Women always suffer most during disasters and conflicts, especially those of us from rural and remote areas,” Thet emphasized, her eyes reflecting deep sorrow and resilience.

Thet’s relief was profound when she received her dignity kit. Overcome with emotion, she explained, “Receiving these kits has meant so much to me. I was afraid to go back into my home to bring my personal belongings, even for the essentials. These items of the dignity kit show thoughtfulness and care for women like us. Without them, I honestly don’t know how we would manage personal hygiene and dignity. Every affected woman deserves this support. This kit is more than just supplies—it gives us back our dignity and restores our hope.”

Yet, physical relief alone was insufficient to heal the deep emotional wounds left by the disaster. The psychological toll of displacement, grief, constant fear of aftershocks, and worries about giving birth without adequate healthcare support significantly impacted the mental health of women like Thet. UNFPA supports delivery of mobile clinics for lifesaving health care and deployment of Rapid Response Team on the ground including mental health and psychosocial (MHPSS) experts to address the urgent needs for affected women and girls amidst the devastation after the shock. 

Thet found comfort in sharing her fears. “Knowing I am not alone and forgotten, that people genuinely care, listen and stand beside me – has given me the strength and hope I thought I had lost,” she shared. 

In the earthquake hardest hit area in Myanmar like Mandalay and Sagaing, timely humanitarian aid is essential to help the most vulnerable population including pregnant women like Thet, restoring their dignity and strength to rebuild their lives amidst profound loss.

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

UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, in collaboration with with UN agencies and humanitarian organizations on the ground, provides dignity kits, clean delivery kits and women essential items for the well-being and dignity of affected women while delivering lifesvaing services such as primary health care, maternal care and mental health and psychosocial support for women and girls in severely affected areas.