With monsoon underway, WHO steps up efforts to ensure safe water in quake-hit Myanmar

As the monsoon rains sweep across Myanmar, thousands of individuals and families displaced by the devastating March 2025 earthquakes face escalating threats to their health and well-being. Damaged or non-functional water supply systems, limited sanitation services, extreme heat, and a growing risk of flooding have created ideal conditions for the spread of waterborne diseases, especially in overcrowded camps and makeshift shelters.

To address these growing challenges, WHO is working urgently with partners to strengthen access to clean and safe drinking water, restore essential health services, and prevent disease outbreaks in high-risk areas.

As part of this effort, WHO is distributing water filters to healthcare facilities and displacement sites to enhance access to safe drinking water. Across Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Sagaing, and Nyaung Shwe, 30 filters installed at 27 clinics and three auxiliary midwife locations, provide clean water to over 13 500 people each month.

This targeted intervention is helping communities reduce the risk of diseases such as acute watery diarrhoea, cholera, and other waterborne infections.

According to WHO’s latest situation report (30 May 2025), the onset of the monsoon rains is already posing additional health risks in earthquake-affected areas, particularly in tents and makeshift shelters. Sporadic cases of acute watery diarrhoea and skin infections have been reported, underscoring the urgency of ensuring access to safe water and sanitation.

“Living here is really difficult. In a month and a half, there will likely be flooding in this area. If flooding occurs, everyone here will face serious difficulties,” says U Kyi (name changed), a 65-year-old who has been living in a makeshift tent since the earthquakes that struck Myanmar on 28 March.

(Watch this video of U Kyi, as he shares the hardships of living in a temporary shelter, now made worse by the ongoing monsoon rains and the constant threat to health and safety)

Building local capacity for water safety

Safe drinking water, along with adequate sanitation, and hygiene is a cornerstone of public health. Inadequate facilities increase the risk of waterborne diseases, particularly in overcrowded shelters and underserved communities.

To build local capacity and resilience, WHO is collaborating with partners, including the Red Cross, UNICEF, and WFP, to strengthen water safety systems and share vital health information. This includes disseminating Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to empower communities and promote health behaviors. This intervention aims to protect the most vulnerable, especially families in temporary shelters, rural health facilities, and communities with limited infrastructure.

Despite these efforts, significant gaps remain. Many communities, as well as essential institutions such as health centers and schools, continue to face challenges in accessing safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services. While coordinated efforts with implementing partners are underway, funding constraints impede the scale and reach of the response. Increased support is needed to ensure safe water access for all.

Access to safe water is not only a necessity, it is vital to preventing disease and protecting lives.  By combining immediate response with sustained system strengthening, WHO and partners are working to ensure that communities across Myanmar stay safe and healthy, and resilient.

Read more about the WHO’s earthquake response here 
Find out how to support the response  here

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