On March 28, 2025, central Myanmar was struck by powerful earthquakes of magnitudes 7.7 and 6.4, marking the strongest seismic events in the country since 1946. The earthquake and aftershocks caused widespread destruction across central Myanmar, including Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Sagaing, Bago, and Shan regions. Homes, schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure have sustained severe damage. Landslides and collapsed roads have left many communities without electricity and mobile connectivity. Many families already surviving in fragile conditions now face even greater hardship, with limited access to safe water, healthcare, and shelter.
The earthquake struck a nation already in turmoil due to over four years of internal conflict triggered by the political change in 2021. The regions of Sagaing and Mandalay, close to the epicentre, are home to 1.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), representing one-third of the total displaced population in Myanmar, further exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
The Joint Response
To optimise aid coverage of the area, the Dutch Relief Alliance partners are responding in different townships in Mandalay and Sagaing, with a strong focus on Mandalay, closest to the earthquakes epicentre. Through the response, the Dutch Relief Alliance covers needs in WASH, Health, Protection and Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance.
The activities carried out under this Joint Response are the following:
- Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA): In the case of the earthquake in Myanmar, cash assistance is considered the most suitable modality to provide direct relief as some critical infrastructure is affected by the earthquake and logistics might be hampered because of that. The partners have harmonised their approaches for MPCA, providing the standard MEB which covers one month basic needs. Markets are operational again. In total, 43.176 affected people will receive direct cash assistance.
- Health: Health needs have spiked due to thousands of people being injured by the earthquake as well as destroyed or impacted clinics. 2 Mobile Medical Teams (MMT) will be deployed, providing emergency primary healthcare and mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS) services and referrals based on IRC/health sector guidelines. Medical supplies are procured and pre-existing stock is used to ensure that the Mobile Medical Teams are equipped. 10.000 people benefit from these critical health interventions.
- WASH: 35,080 individuals will be reached with critical WASH services, preventing waterborne diseases such as cholera and providing dignified sanitary services. This will involve the distribution of hygiene kits, including soap, distribution of dignity kits, providing emergency latrines to ensure safe sanitation facilities and prevent disease outbreaks, reaching a total of 35,080 people. Additionally, much needed access to clean water will be provided through pumping from water sources. Water storage tanks, drinking water containers and water purification tablets will also be distributed, ensure safe storage of water.
- Protection: Protection needs have risen due to kids and women being exposed to higher risk. Protection needs are addressed through Psycho-social first aid through trained community volunteers in the mobile friendly spaces. Complex cases will be referred. Awareness sessions on protection, PSEA, and safe use of cash will be ensure safe, dignified, and informed access to assistance. Gender based violence (GBV) awareness and support is provided and protection monitoring will coordinate with health and cash team as well as other JR members for the referrals of the individuals identified with specific needs for healthcare or basic needs. Protection is mainstreamed throughout all other activities, such as staff being trained on PSEA.
The JR is planning to reach 71.836 people during this response.
