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Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
Four weeks after the devastating 7.7 magnitude that struck Myanmar on 28 March, more than 9 million people (including 2.7 million children) are estimated to be living in the worst affected 58 townships across Bago East, Kayin, Magway, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Shan South, and Sagaing. Of these, 6.3 million people (including nearly 2 million children) are 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.
More than 3,750 people are confirmed to have died, more than 5,100 have been injured and 116 people are still reported missing.1 While work to clear damaged buildings and rubble is ongoing, the affected areas continue to experience serious aftershocks: as of 22 April 2025, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded at least 45 magnitude 3 or higher aftershocks, which are strong enough to be felt nearby, and 4 magnitude 5 or higher aftershocks, which are large enough to do damage. In the past month, in total, more than 150 aftershocks have been reported.
Earthquake-affected communities face harsh conditions, including extreme heat, lack of adequate shelters, overcrowded displacement sites, and limited access to safe water and sanitation services. 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. Unseasonal rains have already caused localised short-term flooding in some earthquake affected areas, and with the monsoon and cyclone season coming, those living in temporary accommodation and makeshift shelters will face further challenges. 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.
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 as private donations decrease. Urgent technical interventions are needed for damaged infrastructure such as collapsed tanks, broken pipes and non-functional pumps. Sanitation gaps persist in rural areas, necessitating emergency and rehabilitated latrines. Solid waste management remains a challenge in rural areas, requiring the provision of communal waste bins.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, child protection needs are escalating due to caregiver distress, leading to increased risks of violence, exploitation, and unsafe environments for children, who also require urgent psychosocial support and family reunification efforts for unaccompanied and separated children. In response to an UNICEF U-Report poll of young people’s experience of the earthquake, more than 40 per cent of respondents indicated that they continued to experience stress and anxiety following the earthquake. Among respondents aged 20-30, nearly half reported facing mental health challenges, including persistent fear and anxiety. When asked what type of support they most needed, 30 per cent said mental health support, followed by 29 per cent housing, and 7 per cent food support. Scaling up child protection activities targeting children, caregivers, and communities is critical to address these growing needs.
As many of the prioritized townships were already considered contaminated before the earthquake, and acknowledging that mines will have shifted, including to domestic dwellings or have become emerged in affected areas, the risks remain high. Out of the 58 earthquake prioritized townships, only 18 (31%) reported no landmine or explosive ordnance (EO) incidents in the past five years.
The recent earthquake has severely impacted education infrastructure across the earthquake affected areas including.in Pyawbwe and Yamethin townships in Mandalay Region. 309 school buildings in Yamethin Township alone are reported to have collapsed or severely damaged. School latrines were also destroyed. The immediate priorities include establishing Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) for fully destroyed schools and repairing partially damaged ones to ensure safe school reopening.
In Taungoo Township of Bago region, 91 public schools serving over 30,000 students have suffered structural damage, including loss of equipment, solar systems, and WASH facilities. Across Mandalay, Sagaing, and Magway, 21 community libraries were damaged, along with loss of educational materials and minor equipment. Emergency support with teaching and learning materials is urgently needed. Restoring damaged infrastructure and integrating MHPSS are critical, alongside community engagement and coordination for safe school reopening and long-term recovery.