IFRC: URGENT HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE CONTINUES IN MYANMAR FOLLOWING DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES

By Wan Muhammad Aslah Wan Razali

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) -- Weeks after powerful earthquakes ripped through Myanmar in late March, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warns that urgent humanitarian needs persist, particularly for shelter, water, sanitation, and healthcare.

Concerns over disease outbreaks remain high, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) warning of risks from overcrowded shelters and poor sanitation — a warning echoed by the IFRC’s call for urgent clean water and proper sanitation in makeshift shelters.

Speaking to Bernama via Zoom, Farah Atiqah Ag Ismail, Delegate for Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (PMER) with the IFRC Myanmar Country Delegation, said the magnitude 7.7 quake had left a significant trail of destruction across both urban and rural areas, particularly in Mandalay and Sagaing near the epicentre.

"Even within cities, the impact is inconsistent. Some buildings remain intact while others beside them are completely destroyed," she said, adding that damage was also reported as far as Bago and Naypyidaw.

"People are still living in makeshift shelters using tarpaulins. Access to clean water and proper sanitation remains an urgent need,” she added.

In response, Farah said the IFRC has deployed mobile health clinics and three water distribution units in the Sagaing and Naypyidaw regions. However, gaps in funding continue to limit the scale of the response.

"The emergency appeal has received only a fraction of what is needed. But national societies have started contributing in-kind donations like tarpaulins, kitchen sets and hygiene items," she said, noting that over 4,000 households have received basic aid so far.

Six states and regions — Sagaing, Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Bago, Northeastern Shan State, and Magway— were declared emergency zones by the Myanmar authorities. 

Statistics released by the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), as of 23 April, indicate that the disaster has resulted in 3,800 deaths, 116 people still missing, 5,100 injured, and over 207,000 internally displaced. More than 400 aftershocks have been recorded since March 28.

Despite the complex political landscape in Myanmar, including an ongoing civil conflict, Farah said operations have been largely unaffected due to the Myanmar Red Cross Society's (MRCS) neutral and impartial standing.

She stated that the IFRC launched an emergency appeal of 100 million Swiss francs (US$120.77 million) on March 29 to support relief efforts, while mobilising technical support from both within and outside Myanmar.

Farah also highlighted that the IFRC’s long-term recovery plans are underway, with transitional shelters being prioritised alongside debris clearance to enable rebuilding efforts. 

"However, the trauma from aftershocks means many survivors are afraid to return indoors — even when their homes remain intact.”

Farah said that the IFRC will continue to strengthen the MRCS’s capacity by restocking emergency supplies and enhancing contingency planning.

She noted that the IFRC’s role is to provide technical and coordination support to national societies such as MRCS, which leads engagement with communities and implements relief operations on the ground.

According to the MRCS, as of April 20, humanitarian assistance has steadily scaled up since the earthquake, with 3,354 people reached through three mobile health clinics and over 64,000 individuals gaining access to clean water via MRCS water distribution efforts.

Emergency sanitation support has been provided to 32 households in Naypyidaw through the installation of latrines, while 114 households across two camps received handwashing basins to promote hygiene. 

In terms of shelter and basic needs, 17,477 people, comprising 3,577 households, have received emergency relief items, and an additional 3,385 people (755 households) were supported with both relief items and cash as part of an emergency shelter package.

More than 250 metric tonnes of relief supplies have been delivered to Myanmar from global national societies and humanitarian partners to support ongoing operations.

-- BERNAMA