Children’s lives have been turned upside down in Myanmar following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake.
Many children have lost everything. Their homes, their schools – even their loved ones. Separated from their families, children are at risk of harm and exploitation. Girls especially.
Plan International is ensuring children are protected in the aftermath of the Myanmar earthquake, with a focus on girls’ unique needs. But more funds are needed.
With your help we can provide urgent life-saving items such as blankets, mosquito nets, shelter, food, clean drinking water and period dignity kits. We can also provide safe places for children to play, and mental health and emotional support. Please give today.
Help children in Myanmar now
Please donate to the Myanmar Earthquake Appeal.
What happened in Myanmar?
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday 28 March – the strongest to hit the country in decades. Powerful aftershocks followed, and huge areas of the country have been devastated.
Millions of people in Myanmar have been affected, many of them children. More than 3,600 people have been killed. Over 5,000 have been injured. Roads, water sources and communication lines have been badly damaged.
The earthquakes add to an already challenging situation in Myanmar where people were already facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Now the situation is even more critical.
Thida's* story
"I was at home cooking [when the earthquake struck], and my baby was in bed. Since I had a C-section, I couldn’t move quickly. I had to ask for help to get my baby while the earthquake was still shaking [our home]," says Thida*, Mandalay.
Thida* gave birth eight days before the earthquake. She and her baby are now displaced with their other family members and living in a makeshift shelter.
"It’s not comfortable to sleep here. We have a big mosquito problem at night, they bite my baby. I also feel a lot of pain from my stitches.
"We need something to make a roof for our shelter. I want to keep my baby safe."
You can help us reach more families in need of support by donating today.
“The people of Myanmar have experienced some of the worst things imaginable, and they need all the support they can get to recover and rebuild.”
Haider Yaqub, Country Director for Plan International in Myanmar.
Our response
Plan International’s humanitarian response teams mobilised immediately to support children with life-saving assistance in the days after the earthquakes.
So far, we have reached over 20,000 individuals with support including:
boxes of biscuits, packs of noodles and other emergency food
access to drinking water, rehydration drinks, water tanks, buckets and jerry cans
the chance for children to play in 20 child-friendly spaces
warm slippers, hats and blankets for children
period-dignity kits for girls and people who menstruate
emergency shelter materials and solar lights
Now, we’re working around the clock to scale up our response, including focusing on education, child protection and emotional support.
Thankfully, all children sponsored through Plan International’s child sponsorship programme are safe and accounted for and we are working hard to ensure they get any support they need.
How your donation helps protect girls
It’s estimated that 4.8 million girls and women in the worst affected areas of Myanmar face heightened risks and uncertainty in the aftermath of this crisis.
For example, girls who have been orphaned or separated from their families are at risk of violence, exploitation and trafficking. And girls within families who have lost their livelihoods risk being pulled out of school first to help make ends meet.
What’s more, damage to water sources and a lack of functioning shops means its challenging for girls and people who menstruate to manage their periods.
Plan International is ensuring the unique needs of girls in Myanmar are accounted for in the aftermath of the earthquakes.
Disasters Emergency Committee
Plan International UK is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee, an umbrella organisation that brings together 15 UK aid agencies to tackle major humanitarian emergencies.
It aims to save lives by maximising money raised and ensuring funds are spent in the most effective and transparent way possible. As part of our response to the Myanmar Earthquake Appeal we have been working with the DEC to help reach the most vulnerable.
* Pseudonyms used to protect identities.
** Photo: Badly damaged building in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar.
In the unlikely event that we raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent for this appeal, any additional funds will be spent wherever the need is greatest.
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