UNICEF Myanmar Earthquake Flash Update No.11

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

Five weeks on from the devastating earthquakes that struck on 28 March in Sagaing Region, central Myanmar continues to experience almost daily seismic activity. Since the destructive quakes, more than 160 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. As of 1 May, 3,835 deaths have been reported, 5,105 people injured and 105 people remain missing. The estimated economic losses are approximately USD 1.8 billion.

Prior to the earthquakes, Myanmar already had the fifth highest number of people in need of humanitarian assistance globally – 20 million, or about a third of the country, including 6.4 million children. In the 58 townships that have been most severely affected by the earthquake. 6.3 million people (including nearly 2 million children) are now in urgent need of assistance and protection – over two-thirds of whom were already in a dire humanitarian situation before the earthquakes due to the ongoing conflict, previous climate-related disasters, displacement and economic hardship. Preexisting food insecurity across Myanmar, compounded by loss of livelihoods and disruptions to supply chains and services within the earthquake affected communities, have affected the availability of life-saving nutrition support for children and other vulnerable groups.

Many communities in affected areas still lack access to safe water due to damaged boreholes, broken piped systems or contaminated wells, requiring continued water provision and exploration of sustainable solutions. Sanitation gaps persist in temporary accommodation centres and in rural areas, necessitating emergency and rehabilitated latrines. Solid waste management remains a challenge in rural areas, requiring the provision of communal waste bins.

Soaring temperatures, rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds are further impacting the living conditions of displaced families living in tents and temporary shelters. The upcoming monsoon season will bring further challenges for those staying in temporary shelters and outdoor settings. These conditions heighten the risk of outbreaks of various diseases, such as water-borne diseases (e.g. cholera), vector-borne diseases (e.g. dengue, malaria), vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g. measles) and skin diseases and with many healthcare facilities damaged or stretched beyond capacity, accessing even basic health care remains challenging for affected populations.

The earthquakes have sharply intensified risks of violence, exploitation, and abuse, especially for women and girls staying in overcrowded shelters, where privacy and safety are limited. Caregivers and children are experiencing heightened psychosocial distress. Although communities are providing ad hoc temporary alternative care for separated and unaccompanied children, there is an urgent need to scale up family tracing, and reunification and provision of alternative family-based care where families cannot be traced or have died in the earthquakes.