Lasting Support in Myanmar Post-Earthquake
More than a year after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake devastated communities across Myanmar, Project HOPE has completed a response effort that evolved from emergency relief to long-term recovery, helping restore access to health services, strengthen local preparedness, and improve essential water and sanitation infrastructure.
“I am deeply proud of what Project HOPE and our local partners have accomplished in Myanmar over the past year,” said Arlan Fuller, Project HOPE’s Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “From delivering emergency medical care in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake to supporting long-term recovery efforts, our goal was to help communities rebuild stronger. By investing in local organizations and preparedness efforts, we’ve helped to create a more resilient foundation.”
In the aftermath of the earthquake, Project HOPE’s emergency response team deployed to assess health-related needs across the country, identify supply chain routes for immediate supplies, and connect with local organizations to ensure a collaborative response. In collaboration with Four Rivers Foundation and Community Partners International, the team deployed mobile medical units (MMUs) composed of doctors and community health volunteers to reach isolated communities. The MMUs provided trauma care and essential medical services, addressing both earthquake-related injuries and acute health needs, particularly in areas where health facilities had been damaged or destroyed.
Recognizing the limited availability of specialized mental health services, Project HOPE and Heart to Hands Myanmar developed a program focused on building the capacity of frontline responders and volunteers to provide psychosocial support, promote positive coping strategies, and link individuals with appropriate services when needed. The program contained a variety of activities, including psychological first aid (PFA) sessions, one-on-one counseling, child psychology awareness sessions, self-care and resiliency workshops, and capacity-building training.
With so many people displaced amongst damaged civilian infrastructure, Project HOPE also focused on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities. Through Medical Action Myanmar, Project HOPE supported the installation of a large-scale water filtration system that serves over 22,000 people each week. Project HOPE also distributed hygiene kits and constructed latrines within displacement camps to provide privacy and dignity, while improving sanitation and hygiene concerns.
To increase the skills and capacity of local responders, Project HOPE supported disaster response sessions to train individuals on preparedness, emergency birth techniques, first-aid training, and patient carrying. Project HOPE also distributed nearly half a million dollars in basic medical supplies to health facilities and provided shelter materials, blankets, kitchen sets, and mosquito nets to families experiencing displacement.
Access photos from Project HOPE’s response here. For media inquiries, please contact media@projecthope.org.
