Myanmar Earthquake: one year on

One year ago, two powerful earthquakes struck central Myanmar within minutes of each other – a 7.7 magnitude quake followed by a 6.4 aftershock. The tremors were felt more than 1,300 kilometres away in Bangkok. In a matter of moments, lives were changed forever. More than 3,700 people, including children, lost their lives, and over 5,000 were injured. 

Homes, schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure were damaged or destroyed, forcing families into overcrowded, makeshift shelters, often without access to safe water, nutritious food, healthcare or education. 

For children and families in Myanmar, this was not just the aftermath of a natural disaster. It marked another chapter in a crisis that had been unfolding for years. Conflict, displacement and economic instability had already shaped daily life for many families and the earthquakes only deepened this crisis. Today, more than 16.2 million people, including 4.9 million children, remain in urgent need of humanitarian support. 

UNICEF was on the ground before and after the earthquakes, providing immediate assistance to children and families. From clean water, nutrition and lifesaving healthcare. to education and psychological support, thanks to the generosity of people like you, more than 80 tons of lifesaving supplies have been delivered to Myanmar since the disaster.   

Rebuilding access to clean water and sanitation

Access to clean water is critical in the aftermath of a disaster. Yet across Myanmar, damaged water systems left 6.9 million people without access to safe drinking water, increasing the risk of disease. 

In many areas, school sanitation facilities were also destroyed, forcing children to walk long distances to collect water during the hot season. 

UNICEF and our partners have been delivering lifesaving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support, including the installation of water tanks and hand pumps in affected communities. 

Within the first six months of the response, more than 615,000 people gained access to clean water, and over 300,000 received essential WASH supplies such as soap, sanitary pads and disinfectants. 

Helping children return to learning 

In a country where access to education was already limited, the earthquakes deepened existing challenges.   More than 2,600 learning facilities were damaged or destroyed, leaving 3.4 million children with little or no access to education.  

Since the disaster, UNICEF and partners have supported the rehabilitation of damaged learning centres and set up temporary learning spaces in monasteries and tented shelters, helping children return to the classroom. 

More than 130 high-performance school tents have been delivered, and Early Childhood Development (ECD) kits have supported over 105,300 children to continue learning. 

Eight-year-old Phoo was delighted to return to class six months after the disaster. 

“I like to draw. But playing with my friends is my favourite,” she says. “I want to go to university so I can support my parents in the future.” 

Delivering essential health and nutrition support

Even before the earthquakes, years of crisis in Myanmar had left many families struggling to afford basic essentials such as food and medicine. 

Today, these challenges remain. Around 40 per cent of children under two do not have access to nutritious food, and Myanmar has one of the highest numbers of children globally who have never received a single routine vaccination. This contributes to a high child mortality rate, with 39 children in every 1,000 not reaching their fifth birthday. 

Working with local organisations and partners, UNICEF has supported over 594,400 children across 34 communities' access vital health and nutrition services, including vaccinations, maternal care, and life-saving treatment for malnutrition.  

For Nyein, this support was critical. After her husband and brother were killed in the disaster, she was left to care for her children alone. Her youngest daughter, two-year-old Shin, became severely malnourished due to a lack of food. 

“Her arms and legs grew thinner every day. I thought I was losing her,” Nyein said. 

With UNICEF’s support, including lifesaving therapeutic food and regular follow-up care, Shin slowly regained her strength. 

“Seeing my youngest healthy gives me the hope to keep going,” Nyein said. 

Your continued support matters 

Over the past year, UNICEF teams have worked in extremely challenging conditions to deliver lifesaving supplies across Myanmar - including health kits, medical supplies, tents, and hygiene kits. 

Our teams remain on the ground, reaching children and families with the care and protection they need. This work is possible thanks to the generosity of people like you.