On March 28, two powerful earthquakes hit central Myanmar, with epicenters near the cities of Mandalay and Sagaing.

The devastation has been widespread, and includes damage to major bridges, roads, universities, the Mandalay International airport and hospitals. Both rural and urban areas have suffered damage, with an estimated 8.5million people impacted.

The death toll is already in the thousands and likely to grow drastically as the rescue operations have been limited and many people remain trapped under collapsed buildings, their chances of survival diminishing as the days advance.

With more than 20 aftershocks to date, the environment remains challenging as damaged buildings continue to collapse. ChildFund Myanmar Country Director Win May says: “The earthquake has caused widespread destruction of homes and severe damage to critical infrastructure.

“Rescue teams have been clearing the rubble searching for people…For survivors, even if their houses stand undamaged, they are afraid to go and sleep inside.”

The situation is critical and immediate assistance is needed to help children and families, thousands of whom have been left homeless and in desperate need.

Hampered rescue efforts

While local rescue teams are doing all they can to retrieve the injured, the number of teams available are few and they are inadequately resourced, lacking the necessary equipment needed to sift through debris.

Rescue resources, such as fire departments, have also suffered damage to their equipment as a result of the earthquake.

For those injured, the health services available are in short supply. Hospitals which have remained functioning have been quickly overwhelmed by the number of patients. Hospitals which have sustained damage have been forced to move patients outdoors for fear of further building collapses.

International rescue teams have arrived to commence relief operations, and UN agencies and international non-government organizations (INGOs), including ChildFund Myanmar, are now working in coordination to support children and families.

ChildFund’s response

ChildFund Alliance members are providing funding support to ChildFund Myanmar and its local partners on the ground, with the first phase of humanitarian support including:

• Food and water, tents and tarpaulins, sleeping bags, hygiene and sanitary kits for affected families
• Protective equipment (masks, gloves, boots), helmets, disinfectant, headlights, food and water for rescue teams

Over the longer term, ChildFund will prioritize activities that ensure children can be protected and receive psychosocial support while their families rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

ChildFund Myanmar has been operating in the country since 2012, working across child protection, youth development, and emergency response, with its staff highly experienced in high risk contexts.

ChildFund Australia, through its local office ChildFund Myanmar, is managing the humanitarian response with support from across the membership of the ChildFund Alliance.