Hope on Wheels: Myanmar earthquake survivors reclaim independence with UNICEF’s assistive devices

When the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on 28 March 2025, it left behind widespread destruction and lives forever altered. Among the survivors were children and adults who sustained life-changing injuries, as well as others already living with disabilities who faced renewed hardship and barriers to mobility in the aftermath.  

Yet in the face of such adversity, the resilience of communities persists, supported by life-changing assistive devices that has restored independence and hope to those who need it most. 

Aung Moe, a 24-year-old shop assistant in Mandalay, was going about his day when the earthquake struck.  As the ground shook violently and buildings began to crumble, he didn't think of his own safety - he ran towards a mosque that was collapsing to help those trapped inside. Falling debris struck his back, causing a severe spinal injury. His younger sister died in the same incident. 

"I was confined to my home for months after the earthquake," Aung Moe said. "I was grieving the loss of my sister and couldn't move around my village or be part of my community like I used to be.". When UNICEF and its partners arrived with assistive devices, including a wheelchair, Aung Moe’s journey towards regaining his independence began. "This wheelchair has given me back my freedom," he said. "I can move around my village again, visit my neighbours, and feel like I'm part of the community once more." 

Similarly, 13-year-old Yati endured a harrowing ordeal when the earthquake struck. She had been playing with friends near her home when a building collapsed, trapping her under the rubble for nine terrifying hours. Yati sustained a crushed and broken right leg — an injury that now limits her mobility — and lost one of her closest friends in the incident. The experience left her not only with physical pain but lasting emotional trauma; even now, she remains fearful during aftershocks.  And yet her resolve remains unshaken. "I will go back to school," she said. "I won't let this stop me from learning. I want to become a doctor so I can help other children like me." 

With her new assistive walking device and physiotherapy sessions, Yati is already making progress toward her goal. Her story exemplifies the resilience of Myanmar's children, who refuse to let adversities define their futures. Through UNICEF's support, she has not only received the tools she needs for mobility but also the hope that her dreams remain within reach. 

The assistive devices that have transformed lives like Aung Moe's and Yati's represent more than just medical equipment – they are instruments of dignity, independence, and hope. For Yati’s father, U Kaung, the impact has been deeply personal. “After the earthquake, I didn’t know how we would cope,” he said. “Seeing my daughter in pain and unable to move broke my heart. But when she received the walker and support, it was like seeing a light come back into her eyes. We’re starting to believe in a future again.” 

Through the generous support of the AT Scale Partnership and Momentum Wheels for Humanity, UNICEF has delivered over 2,000 assistive devices and accessories to support persons with disabilities affected by the earthquake.  These include the most urgently needed items, such as wheelchairs, crutches, walking frames, walking sticks, and self-care products, tailored to help disaster-affected individuals regain mobility and dignity.

While the individual stories of recovery are inspiring, the broader picture reveals the scale of ongoing need. More than three months after the earthquake, over 6.3 million people, including nearly 2 million children, remain in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The disaster has compounded years of conflict, poverty, and displacement, pushing many families beyond their breaking point. 

The monsoon season is also posing new risks to recovery efforts, with heavy rains threatening to damage fragile structures and contaminate water sources in earthquake-affected communities. For children with disabilities, these challenges are even more complex, requiring specialised support that goes beyond basic humanitarian aid. 

UNICEF's response has been comprehensive, reaching more than 83,200 children, parents and caregivers with psychosocial support and child protection services. UNICEF has supported 44,600 people with cash transfers, prioritising the most vulnerable households, including those caring for children with disabilities. However, the scale of need continues to grow, and the funding gap remains significant. 

The road to recovery will be long, but with continued international support and flexible funding, Myanmar's children can build the futures they deserve. Their stories remind us that behind every statistic is a human being with dreams, dignity, and the potential to overcome even the most challenging circumstances, when given the right support at the right time. 

As Aung Moe reflects on his journey, he shares a quiet but determined hope: “One day, I want to become a community volunteer to help others like me rebuild their lives and show them that even after something this hard, life can move forward.” 

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