Myanmar earthquake: Mercy Corps’ response as urgent needs soar
Survivors of the deadly Myanmar earthquake are sleeping outdoors in tents or under tarps bracing for aftershocks. The devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, on March 28. In its aftermath, more than 3,600 lives have been lost, thousands are injured or unaccounted for, and millions are now in urgent need of support.
A state of emergency has been declared in several regions of Myanmar. Basic services—power, water, communications—are down. According to UN reports, critical infrastructure has been severely damaged across the impact zone, including the collapse of a major bridge in Mandalay. With few homes and structures escaping damage and key roads crumbling or impassable, responding to impacted communities is proving difficult.
More than 17 million people are living in affected areas—and 6.3 million of those in need are in areas where the earthquake inflicted the most damage.
“I am deeply concerned about health issues like outbreaks, and health services for those with chronic illnesses,” reported a Mercy Corps team member based in Myanmar, days following the earthquake. “I am not sure how many days I will have food, water, and electricity.”
Earthquake devastation worsens existing crisis
Even before this disaster, 20 million people in Myanmar were in dire need of humanitarian aid. The earthquake hit an area already suffering from years of conflict, economic hardship, and climate-related challenges. Almost four million people had been internally displaced due to ongoing conflict—and now they must also contend with recovery in the wake of the earthquake.
Shrinking international funding has made survival even harder. Myanmar consistently ranks among the countries with the lowest levels of international humanitarian support. The World Food Program predicted earlier this year that 15 million people would face severe food insecurity.
How Mercy Corps is supporting communities in need
Since 2008, Mercy Corps has worked in Myanmar by partnering with communities to rebuild after disasters and foster community cohesion, stability, and economic growth. Our current work includes supporting vulnerable communities with lifesaving assistance, agricultural growth in the face of extreme weather, and conflict resolution—reaching more than 600,000 people since 2022.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, Mercy Corps is working with the UN and local partners to deliver critical essentials by helping communities access shelter, food, medicine, and other urgent supplies. Our long-standing presence and local partnerships allow us to move quickly and effectively. We focus on revitalizing local markets so communities can access what they need and rebuild their lives with dignity.
“Our colleagues in Myanmar describe the situation as dire—this earthquake has struck at the heart of an area which has endured years of conflict and economic hardship," said Arnaud Quemin, Mercy Corps Regional Director for Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
In the critical weeks after a disaster, direct support from donors helps make immediate relief and long-term recovery possible. Donor support helps us respond effectively to meet urgent needs and assist people in rebuilding their lives and livelihoods.
