The death toll from the severe earthquake in Myanmar continues to rise, with some affected areas also being regions devastated by last year’s floods and ongoing conflicts. Countless people have lost their homes and been displaced. Facing this triple crisis—natural disasters, displacement, and instability—the region urgently requires assistance from all sectors. Critical needs include clean water, basic food supplies, safe shelters, hygiene products, and immediate access to medical and psychological support services. Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) will deploy personnel to assist public health efforts and calls for continued attention to this humanitarian crisis, urging support for the international disaster relief operations. (Click here to revisit the conference clip)
HKRC Deploys Personnel to Support Myanmar Relief Efforts
Ms Elaine FONG, Senior Programme Coordinator of the HKRC, has responded to the International Red Cross’s recruitment call and will soon travel to Myanmar. As a Health Coordinator, she will participate in public health coordination for approximately two months. She will collaborate with various Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, local health departments, and humanitarian organizations on the ground to develop health response plans including healthcare and public health. These will ensure the effective operation of relevant disaster response plans. Elaine hopes to leverage her professional expertise to provide support, “The needs in the disaster area are immense right now, and my personal contribution may be small, but I hope to make a difference through the Red Cross’s global network, providing aid to the affected communities in the most effective way.”
Ms Bonnie SO, Chief Executive Officer/ Secretary General of the HKRC, urged the public to remain attentive to Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis and support relief efforts, “Disaster-affected communities require not only short-term attention but also sustained multi-year support systems. The Red Cross is prepared to support long-term recovery. We call on partners, donors, and individuals to act now — every contribution will help save lives and rebuild homes.”
Myanmar Faces Severe Disaster Crisis
High Rescue Difficulties Raise Concerns Over Disease Outbreaks
Parts of Myanmar have yet to fully recover from last year’s floods, and the recent earthquake has exacerbated the crisis. According to initial assessments by the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), approximately 60,000 households have been damaged in hardest-hit areas such as Mandalay, Sagaing, and Naypyidaw, forcing thousands of people to sleep on the streets. The healthcare system in affected regions is now overwhelmed, with five medical facilities destroyed, including three public hospitals, one private hospital, and one medical center. Operational healthcare centers rely solely on generators with limited fuel.
Additionally, damaged water supply infrastructure has left many areas without access to clean water. Overcrowded shelters and insufficient medical resources have heightened the risk of acute waterborne disease outbreaks. Some shelters in Sagaing have already reported mild to moderate cases of acute watery diarrhea. In certain affected areas, an average of 500 people must share a single toilet—just 4% of the international humanitarian standard of one toilet per 20 people—posing severe public health risks.
Unusual weather conditions have brought extreme heat exceeding 40°C to affected areas, with the monsoon season expected in the coming weeks. The Myanmar Meteorological and Hydrological Department has repeatedly warned that abnormal rainfall will further impact earthquake-stricken regions, complicating relief efforts. Poor drainage systems in disaster zones raise concerns that potential flooding could submerge sanitation facilities, accelerating the spread of infectious diseases.
Survivors in the Worst-hit Areas Face a Triple Blow of Crises
Psychological Trauma Beyond Imagination
Struck by the triple devastation of prolonged conflict, last year’s floods, and this year’s earthquake, many in the hardest-hit areas—already displaced from their hometowns and struggling to rebuild their lives locally—now face unimaginable hardships as disaster strikes anew.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Service of the HKRC is providing technical assistance to the MRCS, including planning mental health and psychosocial support activities. In collaboration with the Danish Red Cross, the HKRC is developing tools such as a rapid mental health assessment guide, adapted psychological support materials for bereaved families. A staff member of MRCS, previously trained by our team in psychological first aid, is now providing on-the-ground mental health support in the worst-hit areas.
International Red Cross and HKRC Response
In times of disaster or conflict, the Red Cross adheres to the principle of neutrality, maintaining close communication and coordination with governments and other stakeholders to ensure timely humanitarian response in affected areas. After the earthquake, the MRCS swiftly activated their Emergency Operation Centre and deployed personnel and supported search and rescue operations, provided first aid, pre-hospital care and emergency medical services to the injured. Additionally, four mobile health teams have been dispatched to provide mental health and community support services and build shelters for displaced people. Encouragingly, on the sixth day after the earthquake, the rescue team discovered a teacher who had been trapped for nearly 150 hours in a collapsed guesthouse in Sagaing, and he was finally freed after digging. After being rescued, the Red Cross promptly provided medical treatment. This miraculous story serves as a reminder to rescuers never to give up hope, even in the direst circumstances.
The International Red Cross has launched a global emergency appeal, aiming to raise 100 million Swiss Francs (approximately HK$882 million) to support disaster relief efforts in Myanmar. This funding will provide immediate humanitarian assistance, recovery, and rebuilding efforts for approximately 100,000 individuals in the most severely affected areas over a period of 24 months.
In addition, the HKRC has also recruited overseas humanitarian volunteers and twenty professional volunteers, including doctors, nurses, and hydraulic engineers are ready and prepared to depart at any time to support as needed. The HKRC is also providing emergency tracing services to assist Hong Kong residents in locating family members who have lost contact due to the earthquake. Furthermore, the HKRC plans to conduct street fundraising at 20 locations across Hong Kong (click here for location list) on 12 to 13 April (Saturday and Sunday), hoping that the community and citizens will generously respond to the “Emergency Appeal for Myanmar Earthquake 2025” by donating to provide emergency humanitarian support to those affected in Myanmar, supporting relief, post-disaster recovery, reconstruction and disaster preparedness efforts in the regions.
HKRC is also committed to promoting community disaster preparedness education, hoping to enhance the public’s knowledge of coping with earthquakes. On April 16, an online seminar on “Disaster Prevention and Response Guide” will be held. The public is welcome to participate by registering via this path (Donors to the HKRC will be given priority to participate):
https://s.redcross.org.hk/travelsafety_registration