UNICEF Myanmar Earthquake Flash Update No. 6

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

As of 7 April, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, 109 aftershocks ranging from magnitudes 2.8 to 7.5 have been reported since the devastating 7.7 and 6.4 magnitude earthquakes that hit central Myanmar on 28 March 2025.

The number of deaths has crossed 3,600, with over 4,800 people injured, while 184 remain missing (as of 8 April).1 More than 9 million people (including 2.7 million children) are estimated to be the worst affected across 58 townships in Bago East, Kayin, Magway, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Shan South, and Sagaing.

Latest reports indicate continued infrastructure damage which include 193 healthcare facilities, and 2,311 schools.2 Remaining health facilities are overwhelmed and are reporting critical shortages of medical supplies. The destruction of health facilities has significantly reduced access to essential nutrition services, including lifesaving interventions and preventive services for acute malnutrition. This poses a serious risk to vulnerable populations, particularly women and young children. Damage to local markets and businesses is impacting the availability and cost of food and other essential items, further exacerbating concerns in particular for the nutritional status of children and women.

The damage caused by the earthquake is compounding existing vulnerabilities in the impacted areas. There is a growing concern among communities about the risk of infectious diseases, due to improperly managed corpses and the lack of access to safe water and sanitation facilities. A cluster of mild to moderate acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) cases has been reported in Sagaing Township and urban areas of Mandalay.3 WASH cluster partners have so far identified over 42,000 damaged latrines and report significant damage to urban water systems and rural aquifers, with the latter affecting wells in rural areas. There is an urgent need to support access to basic health services, safe drinking water and water for hygiene, and adequate sanitation facilities.

Extreme heat - reaching 44°C (111°F) – and off-season rains are further exacerbating the situation for responders and survivors, many of whom are still sleeping outdoors. These conditions, combined with ongoing aftershocks, place considerable stress on affected families. Provision of safe spaces for children to learn, play and receive essential mental health and psychosocial support is critical. There is an urgent need to protect vulnerable people, particularly women, children, and persons with disabilities as protection risks, including child protection, gender-based violence and mine risks have severely increased.