Myanmar: Supporting Earthquake Survivors
Following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, Project HOPE quickly deployed an emergency response team to address immediate health and humanitarian needs. With more than 3,725 people killed, and at least 17 million people impacted – 9 million of them severely – the earthquake has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
As part of its ongoing response, Project HOPE is working with trusted local partners to deliver lifesaving aid. So far, Project HOPE has:
- Delivered water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) support through the distribution of over 1,000 hygiene kits, the construction of 20 emergency latrines, and the installation of two mobile water filtration systems, each providing 5,000 liters per hour of clean water.
- Operated mobile medical units in Nyaungshwe and Southern Shan, where teams, so far, have treated around 1,000 patients in just four weeks, with additional units planned for launch in Sagaing this month. These units ensure access to basic medical consultations, treatment, health education, and referral services, while monitoring for disease outbreaks during the critical early recovery phase.
- Provided stipends to local health workers to deliver Psychological First Aid (PFA) within their own communities in Southern Shan to address the mental health needs of survivors.
- Been in collaboration with WHO and local civil society organizations to procure and distribute bed nets, medicines, hygiene kits, and additional non-food items in the Mandalay area.
“One month after the earthquake, communities are still facing severe shortages of medical supplies, food, clean water, and safe shelter,” said Arlan Fuller, Director of Emergency Response and Preparedness at Project HOPE. “Thousands remain displaced and are living in makeshift tents, which will provide inadequate shelter with monsoon season quickly approaching. This will undoubtedly lead to a surge in waterborne and vector-borne diseases, and local health systems are already strained to respond and in desperate need of medicine, medical equipment, clean delivery kits, and continued mental health support to address the growing needs.”
Project HOPE has extensive experience responding to earthquakes around the globe, including in Morocco, Türkiye, Syria, Indonesia, and Haiti. In every response, Project HOPE works to meet both urgent and long-term needs—ensuring access to primary and mental health care, safe shelter, and clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. As the situation in Myanmar continues to evolve, Project HOPE will continue to assess needs on the ground, support local partners, and adapt its response to save lives and lay the foundation for long-term recovery.
Interviews with emergency response experts are available upon request. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact: media@ProjectHOPE.org.
